Playwright Linda Felton Steinbaum was so intrigued with the rush of female teachers charged with sexual misconduct against their male students that she was moved to write a play, Mustang Sally, addressing the manifold issues and inequities of the trend.
The cases are almost too numerous to list," says Linda.
"What's even more surprising is how young a lot of the victims are.
Most of us assume that if a female teacher 'falls' for an underage boy, he must be very mature and near adulthood.
Not so.
Surprisingly, the majority of these teens are still gangly, awkward children.
" Here are some of the cases that caught the playwright's eye - all are teachers; Lakina Stutts, age 40 with a 14 year old student, Deana Bobo 37, sex with 14 year old, Mary Kay Letourneau was 34 when she had sex with a 12 year old, Bethany Sherrill 24 with 14 year old, Kelly Lynn Dalecki 28 with 13 year old boy, Sherry Brians 41-- with a 12 year old, Pamela Turner 27 -- 13 year old boy, Susan Eble 35 -- 14 year old, Tara Lynn Crisp 29 -- 14 year old Laura Lynn Findlay, Carol Flannigan 50 -- 11 year old former student, Moan Marie Sladky, and let's not forget infamous Debra LaFave, the 25 year old blond bombshell teacher of Tampa, FLA, who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 14 year old boy.
The list goes on and on.
Forensic psychologist Louis B.
Schlesinger at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, is quoted in a Fox News story, "Older women involved with underage males is nothing new.
That's been going on many, many, many years.
The general view is that it's a right of passage...
the guy is lucky.
Some adult men and women are attracted to teenagers," said Schlesinger.
"These are teachers with boundary problems.
Their boundaries are very fluid.
"(article written by Catherine Donalson-Evans, published 12 Feb, 2005) "Still, it's a crime if the boy is underage," says Linda, "even if the sex is consensual.
"She goes on to say that these boys are often confused by messages they see in movies, tv and the media.
And the repetitive tacit message is this - if they are offered sex, especially from an authority figure, they must submit, whether they want it or not, to comply and also prove their masculinity.
Many young boys may be physically ready but not emotionally ready for an intimate sexual relationship.
" "I researched this topic exhaustively," says Linda, "and have done my best to present a typical case of female teachers involved with sexual misconduct (statutory rape) with male minors in the play.
The psychological term for the condition is 'hebophilia', which is sexual attraction to adolescents, or postpubescent minors.
It's happening more often than you might think, and it disturbs me that this can be lightly laughed off by society.
We need to protect our sons as well as our daughters.
What message are we sending other female teachers who might find themselves 'attracted' to their young male students when men convicted of statutory rape are sentenced to 10 or more years in prison while women offenders normally get probation or house arrest?" As Matthew Felling, media director of the Center for Media and Public Affairs said, 'The main dichotomy is in coverage - men are demonized, women are diagnosed.
Men are beasts, but women are troubled, or mentally ill.
" The play, Mustang Sally, has attracted top theatrical director Arturo Castillo to helm the project.
Arturo has directed shows in many large Equity venues including the National Theatre in London.
As producer, I can say we are very excited to have a director of Arturo's caliber committed to this production.
I have worked with Arturo before and, like me, he only commits to significant works that highlight truth or expose a real need in society.
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com or myspace.
com/mustangsallytheplay.