Klarinet Archive - Posting 000318.txt from 1999/12

From: "Michael Lawrence" <belgarath10@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Touching pupils
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999 00:25:38 -0500

Rick Stein wrote:

>The subject has been on this list before. We all know, that a student
>complaining about your behaviour can bring you into great difficulties, so
>care must be taken in what you do. However I think there are differences in
>culture between the USA and many other countries. When following this line
>I
>think in the USA you are _guilty_ unless the contrary has been proven. In
>most European countries you are _innocent_ unless the contrary has been
>proven.
>
>Of course there also is a proverb: "No cat is called black unless it has a
>black spot".
>

I would like to first say, that as any American high school student is
familiar with, there is a well-known law quote- "Innocent until proven
guilty." I realize that we may no longer follow that as closely as we may
have in the past, but it is still one of the major concepts used in the
American judicial system.

I would also like to throw in my two cents:)... I am a 16 year-old male high
school student, taking lessons from a female instructor. I know well that
the majority of cases concerning harassment involve males as the "predator"
and females as the victim. However, both cases _do_ occur- it isnt too
likely that _only_ males are capable enough to "touch pupils". My teacher
has always told me before she touches me (usually my mouth- to check my
embouchure), and is always very careful not to make me feel harassed, etc..
I truly believe that any legitimate instructor shouldn't have any problem
with a student- unless the problem lies with the student him/herself. In
this case, I would trust the legal system to come through- I would like to
think that no one student could be the downfall of an honest teacher, as
long as that teacher truly did nothing. At any rate, I can't see any reason
for instructors to fear lawsuits, as long as they pick and choose their
students moderately carefully.

-Michael Lawrence

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