Jordan Powers/James Hooker Inspired Law Discriminates Against a Profession While Ignoring the Age of Consent

James Hooker left his wife and kids last year after falling in love with one of his students. By no means am I advocating for Hooker's behavior. After leaving his family, he moved in with Jordan Powers, an 18 year old student of his Enochs High School in Modesto, California. The couple has some lawmakers talking about a new law inspired by this inappropriate affair.

It may soon be a felony for a teacher to date a student. Ok, on the surface that doesn't sound like a bad idea considering, but does the law discriminate and will it lead to other issues?

First off, Powers was 18 years old when the two decided to engage in a relationship. By all means that makes her an adult. While her decision is foolish and his pathetic and sad, it still doesn't change the fact she was of legal age when the two decided to get involved. Both claim they did not engage in any inappropriate behavior until after Powers turned 18.

So, if such a law is passed, where does it end? It obviously targets teachers, which seems a bit discriminatory, but who in government is to say that a woman can't fall in love with a man twice her age or vice versa and live happily ever after? She was of legal age after all when she decided to get involved with this man. We send men off to war at 18. They can legally sign contracts when they turn 18. So what really did these two do wrong other than cross a line over what society expects out of its school teachers other than he leaving his family? They are after all two adults.

So if a older fast food manager falls in love with the 18 year old register girl, do we look at them with disgust? Are we going to pass laws to ensure this doesn't happen either? What's the difference? It goes on every day. I saw it going on in places I worked. Are we going to have laws against that too?

Or what about church camp counselors? I know of people in past churches I have gone to in which there is a considerable age difference. Just how do you suppose we regulate to people of legal age and the relationship they have with each other?

For all we know they could truly be in love--a love that lasts. You aren't going to stop that no matter how hard you try.

Now this isn't justifying underage relationships by any means. There are plenty of teachers who have crossed that line too; however, if the law says 18 is legal age of consent and adulthood, then who are these lawmakers who are going to try to legislate relationships?

No, I don't think Hooker is an admirable person, but really what law did he break other than possibly the school's set of rules, and it appears appropriate action has taken place. To label this crime a felony seems extreme to me.