MY TAKE ON DEBRA LAFAVE

Ok, here’s my opinion on the whole Debra LaFave fiasco. First of all, I’d like to mention that bipolar disorder can go undetected for years before something drastic like this happens, at which time the patient is diagnosed by the psychiatrist based on the patient relaying personal accounts of behavior, etc. Diagnosing bipolar is difficult. You don't take a medical exam for the doctor to say, "I'm sorry to tell you that you have bipolar disorder."

It is a fact that in the stages of mania, undesirable sexual tendencies are very common. In DSM-IV-TR it specifically mentions excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments).

Of course, they know what they are doing is wrong, but it’s almost like an uncontrollable action that the brain makes for you. It isn’t controllable unless the patient is consistently taking the medicine and for the psychiatrist to prescribe the right medication. It may take several combinations of drugs before the patient begins to feel like a normal human being again.

I think that yes, Debra Lafave should be considered a sex offender and receive her punishment. But I don’t think she’s blaming what she did because she is bipolar. I think her main reason for even broaching the topic is because the disease is most often completely misunderstood and wants to inform the public.

I suggest any of the night cable news channels to invite Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D., who is the the most renowned expert on bipolar disorder (which she herself suffers from) to explain this disorder and why Debra Lafave did some of the things she did.

3 years house detention? Sounds fine, but what about the MALE rapists? It seems that in today’s day and age male rapists aren’t considered as newsworthy as women who have sex with underage boys. Male rapists serve their time and are put back on the street to re offend. True pedophiles cannot be cured. It is a serious disease that the people and legislators and law enforcement need to take seriously and do something about. Pedophiles are not all bipolar. Not all bipolars are pedophiles.

Sure, it’s a double standard. He may be negatively affected by the media, but since he is a minor, his name hasn’t been released. I can understand the boy’s parents being angry. What parent would want their 14 year old son to have sex with a grown married woman? Of course they are going to be mad and upset at this recent ruling.

But trust me mom and dad…your kid isn’t going to suffer. He will probably end up being the most popular guy in school and get high-fives from every boy walking down the hall. Being a ‘stud’ is every average high school boy’s dream. You can’t deny pure LOGIC.

On my final note, I honestly DO NOT think that these incidents of sexual encounters will impact this boy in a negative manner in any way whatsoever. Let’s be honest people…what 14 year old boy full of raging hormones actually achieve the dream of his life…the real “Hot for Teacher” story. LaFave is a very attractive young woman…he will probably think back in 20 years and smile because he GOT her.