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Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet dove headfirst into the classroom culture wars by claiming that teachers "are inclined" toward pedophilia and that students are being "groomed" for sexual abuse — while offering no evidence to back up his charges.
Echoing attack lines that Republican politicians have been using of late to push legislation that would ban discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms, Mamet insisted "we have to take back control."
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, called Mamet's remarks "a repulsive demonization of the very people who have been the lifeline to our kids. "
"This demonization of teachers is dangerous for our educators and for their students, and it must stop," Weingarten said in a statement. "In the meantime, teachers will keep doing their jobs to create opportunity and joy for every child in this country, and that overcomes anger, fear and gross misinformation every time.”
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet dove headfirst into the classroom culture wars by claiming that teachers "are inclined" toward pedophilia and that students are being "groomed" for sexual abuse — while offering no evidence to back up his charges.
Echoing attack lines that Republican politicians have been using of late to push legislation that would ban discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms, Mamet insisted "we have to take back control."
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, called Mamet's remarks "a repulsive demonization of the very people who have been the lifeline to our kids. "
"This demonization of teachers is dangerous for our educators and for their students, and it must stop," Weingarten said in a statement. "In the meantime, teachers will keep doing their jobs to create opportunity and joy for every child in this country, and that overcomes anger, fear and gross misinformation every time.”
As a former teacher who still works in the public school system, I agree with Randi Weingarten. She SHOULD be triggered. As a single, male adult who works closely with children, crap like this makes my job harder, and and can easily lead to people falsely accusing school personnel of abuse/molestation/etc. It's pretty irresponsible of Mamet, it can possibly affect my job and livelihood directly, and can lead to diminished services for children in schools. I don't know what else to say here... except that the fact that you think Momet's comments and Weingarten's response is something trivial is pretty disgusting as well.
As a former teacher who still works in the public school system, I agree with Randi Weingarten. She SHOULD be triggered. As a single, male adult who works closely with children, crap like this makes my job harder, and and can easily lead to people falsely accusing school personnel of abuse/molestation/etc. It's pretty irresponsible of Mamet, it can possibly affect my job and livelihood directly, and can lead to diminished services for children in schools. I don't know what else to say here... except that the fact that you think Momet's comments and Weingarten's response is something trivial is pretty disgusting as well.
His comments are over the top, but there is a semblance of truth in them.
Why would an adult want to teach kids given the incredibly low pay? One reason maybe access to kids. There can be other reasons, like love of teaching, etc. But you cannot deny there are those groups of people attracted to the profession. Add on now you guys want to talk sex with kids (or admins are forcing you) and it's getting to a very creepy level.
I think he is painting with too broad of a brush. For a playwright, someone whose career revolves around words, he should be more precise and clear. I think it’s wrong to generalize and say teachers in general are inclined to pedophilia. I do think it has been established that pedophiles do tend to gravitate to careers and situations that give them access to kids, so it’s not unreasonable to say teachers, clergy, coaches, youth workers might have a higher percentage of pedophiles in their ranks. Especially when discussing a topic so reprehensible as pedophilia, one should be careful and precise with their words and avoid broad generalizations.
As a former teacher who still works in the public school system, I agree with Randi Weingarten. She SHOULD be triggered. As a single, male adult who works closely with children, crap like this makes my job harder, and and can easily lead to people falsely accusing school personnel of abuse/molestation/etc. It's pretty irresponsible of Mamet, it can possibly affect my job and livelihood directly, and can lead to diminished services for children in schools. I don't know what else to say here... except that the fact that you think Momet's comments and Weingarten's response is something trivial is pretty disgusting as well.
I had a former High School teacher of mine tell me that there was nothing wrong with helping students get in touch with their sexuality. He told me about the Principal having an affair with a student. It had happened in the 80s and he told me in the mid 90s. They finally passed a law that prohibits teachers from having sex with high school students in 2010.
His comments are over the top, but there is a semblance of truth in them.
Why would an adult want to teach kids given the incredibly low pay? One reason maybe access to kids. There can be other reasons, like love of teaching, etc. But you cannot deny there are those groups of people attracted to the profession. Add on now you guys want to talk sex with kids (or admins are forcing you) and it's getting to a very creepy level.
1. I make over $100,000 a year, for 185 days of work, not exactly "incredibly low pay,".... but there are definitely states with very low salaries for teachers.
2. People become teachers for many different reasons, and it is almost never pay. Some like the security, some like the pensions (for those who have one), it could be the schedule... especially if you have kids yourself (You never work when your kids are out of school), some actually ENJOY teaching and working with kids. I originally started because I loved working with kids, and I loved history/English, and it was a great way to combine the two. Some people actually enjoy feeling like they are making a difference. We know what the pay is going in, but we all make the personal decision about what is most important in our lives and choose our professions accordingly. As I stated above, I make over $100,000 a year for 185 days of work, with full benefits, and a pension.And because I work here, I will eventually get about $70,000 worth of student loans forgiven. AND I still get to work with kids for a living. Why WOULDN'T I want to work here?
3. Sure, there are "these groups of people" in the profession. And they are also cops, lawyers, coaches, etc. I mean, didn't you ever watch "To Cath A Predator?" Sadly, they are everywhere. I know, because not only do I come across them in my job, but I also often have to make the CPS reports, or call the cops when it is more serious. And those are just the ones we catch. So why single out one profession?
4. I actually work in the public schools, and am on several different campuses every day, and I have no idea what the heck you are talking about when you say "and now you guys want to talk sex with kids." I know what the GOP is crying about for their most recent fear-mongering for the upcoming election, but I am actually in the schools, and I can tell you none of that crap is happening... lol.
Just go to court records. More than 50% of child porn or enticement deft's are involved in the schools.
It is more than a semblance of truth.
Is there a link somewhere to back up your claim? Or is it something you saw on SVU?
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