Teachers Behaving Badly: Conclusion

A significant number of internet databases dedicated to teachers convicted for having sexual relationships with their students, reinforcing the severity of the problem. Though precise reasons as to why these relationships occur are unclear, there are a number of suggestions:

• Teachers abusing their position of power and breaching trust
• Advancements in technology making these types of relationships more possible and accessible
• Teachers dealing with emotional abuse or trauma

 Regardless of reasons, however, it is evident that the epidemic is not being addressed with enough vigor, nor are all convicted teachers being treated equally. Research has shown that sexual relationships with adults, especially those who hold power and influence in their lives, can potentially damage the development of a child, and should therefore be labeled as abuse and dealt with as such.