[NJ_gent]

"I was just trying to explain to all those who are "outraged" why there is a double standard exhibited by many of us on this thread."

For those of up angry about the 'double standard', I think it's less about there being a double standard and more about the incredible chasm of difference between the two standards. A female teacher has sex with a 15 year old boy and prosecution reluctantly moves forward with supporters sending letters and protesting in her favor. A male teacher has sex with a 15 year old girl and a media frenzy swarms around him, the trial goes through in record time, and he's escorted about in a bullet-proof vest because of the death threats and the lynch mobs ready to tear him limb from limb.

Woman does it, and the response is, "oh gee, golly - that's probably not a very good idea unless you two are really in love".

A man does it, and the response is an endless series of slurs and curses intermingled with death threats and promises of eternal damnation.

They're wrong in both cases, and should be dealt with objectively and appropriately. The differences in how they're treated are tied almost entirely to emotional perception, rather than objective oberservation and judgement.

[NJ_gent]

"For those of up"

Nicely done, NJ_gent - four words into the post. That should be 'us', obviously. :-)

[monday]

"A female teacher has sex with a 15 year old boy and prosecution reluctantly moves forward with supporters sending letters and protesting in her favor. A male teacher has sex with a 15 year old girl and a media frenzy swarms around him, the trial goes through in record time, and he's escorted about in a bullet-proof vest because of the death threats and the lynch mobs ready to tear him limb from limb."

Actually, a male teacher having sex with a 15 or 16 year old girl doesn't have quite as extreme a reaction as you say. That sort of reaction is usually reserved for pedophiles having sex with prepubescent children.

You are correct that the reaction is different however, and much of it is emotional, but there are rational reasons for the different reactions as well.