The Odd Irony of the Public Response to indecent Adult Behavior

Last week, the NJ published this story:  http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120510/NEWS/120510035/Teacher-arrested-plucking-student-?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome&nclick_check=1

Below is a sampling of the comments that the story received:

• Oh Please, kids have way too much power these days. I'm sure Ms. Saunders did what was necessary.
• I agree...kids are ignorant...I don't blame her
• Agreed. He made a comment about another teacher and wouldn't apologize. Where's the respect
• Damn kids these days..they need to bring back paddling.. these kids are out of control have no respect..teacher do not get paid enough to put up with the disrespect then the parents are disrespectful ..crazy .. I would shake that teachers hand and say good for you.

Today, the News Journal publishes this one: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120514/NEWS/305140037/Kindergarten-teacher-arrested-soliciting-officer?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome&nclick_check=1

While the comments are still light, here is what the public is saying:

• Last year that was my little cousin teacher
• THIS IS MY SONS TEACHER, I SWEAR TO GOD....
• I wonder how many other children he succeeded in abusing.

A Very Different Sentiment?  Why?

In the first story the child is a 12 year-old, in the second the child is a 13 year-old.  While common sense eventually prevails to a degree on the comments section of the NJ's first story, it's important to note that writers were quick to defend the adult in the situation and blame the child. But, they are several comments that spew vitriol towards the victim in this story.  Why?

The light response to the second story stokes a very different flame - adults appalled at the behavior of the suspect - the adult.  No one is quick to impugn the 13 teen-year old for her poor decision, for putting herself at risk, or for having parents who are inept in parenting her.  No one suggests that she was at least partly at fault or that she asked for "it" - whatever "it" was going to be.

The difference between these two stories is that the 13 year-old from the second story doesn't exist.  The suspect was "creeping on" a fictional character played by a police officer engaged in an undercover sting.   There is no child to blame in the second scenario, just the creepy kindergarten teacher. 

And this particular juxtaposition of situations illustrates a very concerning trend.  When a child is a participant, willing or not, in a crime perpetrated by an adult against that child, many in the public are quick to attack the child and reticent to blame the adult. Yet, it is the adult who is familiar with the laws that guard behavior pertaining to children.  It is the adult who is morally and developmental more mature than the child.  It is the adult that must make a value decision and he/she is presumed by the definition of human cognitive development to have the skills or knowledge to do that.  When we act quickly to blame the child, 2, 5, 10, 12, 15, 17 and all the ages in between, we send a message to all children that they too will come under scrutiny if they bring forth crimes that have been committed against them.    As a society, we are compelling their silence and allowing the adults who commit crimes against children, as the kindergarten teacher may have towards this fictional child, to continue to violate the trust of children.

It's time to evaluate ourselves and our community.  If our children cannot depend on our society to have shared moral thread, who among us will protect them?