When pupils fall in love with their teachers, the problem is not nearly
so serious as the same event would be out of school, for the reason that
every normal tradition of school relations is against such a state of
affairs. The teacher stands, as is said so often, _in loco parentis_;
and if teachers are fit to bear this relation to their pupils, they can,
and will, easily handle any tendencies toward too intimate relations
with their pupils. The treatment for a pupil who develops too ardent an
admiration for a teacher is based upon the process of de-personalizing
the relations between them; for almost always it will be found that when
pupils have fallen in love with their teachers, it is because, purposely
or unconsciously, the relations have been too personal.
There are two typical cases—that of young girls who fall in love with an
attractive young man teacher, whom usually they hope to captivate and
marry; and that of boys, relatively less mature, who rarely reach the
ridiculousness of such plans, but shower such attentions as they may
upon the object of their affections, and go to any length to please her.
Most young women teachers have the tact and good sense to manage such
cases wisely, keeping the boys within the bounds of a normal and fairly
platonic regard, and often using their power to bring about the
development of a fine idealism and many manly virtues in their admirers.
But the vain young woman who likes this kind of popularity is not
unknown in schools; she is a nuisance, doing more harm by her vanity
than a dozen sensible colleagues can undo through every means known to
good pedagogy.
The teacher is to blame, as a rule, when either of these conditions
develops. Being older and more experienced, he has the upper hand and
can cure the malady, if he will, especially as he has every sane
tradition on his side. The elimination of the dangerous personal
attitude, of opportunities for the expression of regard, of the personal
appeal, and of subtle suggestions of a sentimental nature, are all in
the power of the teacher. It is just a question of whether he cares to
exercise his will and his ingenuity in the interest of a healthy
relation, or whether he chooses rather to have his vanity flattered by
attentions and popularity.