He 'Enjoyed His Time in the Birth Canal a Little Too Much'

Jacob Sullum | April 16, 2008

Playing off stories about preschoolers and first-graders facing sexual harassment charges under idiotic "zero tolerance" policies, Rogier van Bakel gives us a preview of the not-too-distant future.

Comments

Taktix®|4.16.08 @ 11:52AM|#

Two years ago in Texas, a four-year-old was punished for sexual harassment after a teacher's aide accused the pre-schooler of pressing his face into her breasts during a hug.

I think this speaks volumes about the teacher's aide for deriving a sexual connotation from this.

MK2|4.16.08 @ 11:54AM|#

Basing one's thinking and analysis of such matters on the most outrageous examples simplifies everything so nicely doesn't it?

|4.16.08 @ 12:09PM|#

MK2,

Did he say it was commonplace? No. But the fact that it happens at all--that is, charging children with sexual harassment--says that it will continue to happen unless it is brought to light and made to stop happening. He did the first part, now who's going to do the second?

Michael Ejercito|4.16.08 @ 12:11PM|#

If laws against sexual harassment were abolished, this would not happen at all.

|4.16.08 @ 12:12PM|#

Basing one's thinking and analysis of such matters on the most outrageous examples simplifies everything so nicely doesn't it?

I agree completely. Zero Tolerance policies that are put in place in response to outrageous and uncommon occurrences do simplify matters quite a bit for the schools and make life more difficult for the students.

Oh that's not what you meant?

|4.16.08 @ 12:14PM|#

Michael Ejercito,

So true! Harassment has always been a crime, hasn't it? Why did we need to add sexuality to it, and did that really add anything to original harassment laws? Now, strangely, somebody can tell somebody that they have beautiful eyes and the receiver of that compliment could claim sexual harassment. If you are that insecure, you have some work to do.

|4.16.08 @ 12:21PM|#

"Two years ago in Texas, a four-year-old was punished for sexual harassment after a teacher's aide accused the pre-schooler of pressing his face into her breasts during a hug.

I think this speaks volumes about the teacher's aide for deriving a sexual connotation from this."

Taktix, beat me to it.

Naga Sadow|4.16.08 @ 12:31PM|#

A four year old was actually punished FOR sexual harassment? Call me skeptical but does a four year old actually understand the sexual nature of motorboating a teachers aide?

|4.16.08 @ 12:53PM|#

of the not-too-distant future

...in the not-too-distant future, Next Sunday, A.D....

Ska|4.16.08 @ 1:46PM|#

Well, Naga, they mght know they're enjoying it. I remember one specific teacher I'd call over to help me with my work, and that was in 1st grade.

But yeah, the idea that a 4-yr old is capable of understanding what sexual harassment is, or that what they're doing is wrong, that is just insanity.

It's so ridiculous it's hard to believe that people don't see how insane it is to say a 4-yr old is capable of sexual harassment.

Sam Grove|4.16.08 @ 2:22PM|#

I've certainly enjoyed my time in a birth canal, but as an adult.

GG|4.18.08 @ 12:55PM|#

Two years ago in Texas, a four-year-old was punished for sexual harassment after a teacher's aide accused the pre-schooler of pressing his face into her breasts during a hug.

If that were my four-year-old, I would harass that cold bitch in any number of ways.

(Speaking of child abuse, has reason addressed the Texas government's kidnapping of all those FLDS kids, which turns out may have been based on a prank call?)

GG|4.18.08 @ 12:59PM|#

Nevermind -- I see Balko's just posted something on it.

Mad Max|4.19.08 @ 11:34AM|#

According to certain officials in the government schools, sexual harassment is something students do. We all know that teachers themselves would never behave inappropriately with students.