Too Taboo For School: Teacher-Student Relationship Fiction Pre & Post #MeToo

Abstract

The inappropriate teacher-student relationship is a popular trope in fictional media. The trope usually reflects the media landscape of the time period it is released in. This paper focuses on the portrayal of this trope in fiction and its impact on audiences. Taking a loose content analysis approach focusing specifically on film, television shows, and novels: Traditionally the student is usually portrayed as the predator, while the teacher is portrayed as the victim; ultimately under the guise of "forbidden love;" while many post #MeToo stories portray teacher-student relationships as grooming and abuse. Some others still romanticize their stories, but the teacher faces consequences. Young audiences (ages 12-34) tended to view the traditional portrayal as romantic. On the other hand young audiences who viewed post #MeToo portrayals understood the dangers of grooming. However, there were still outliers who took parts of the media out of context to reframe as romantic.