How surprised are you that over 15 yrs. later Mary K. Letourneau and Villi are still together and celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary?

I just sat an article on FB and I clicked on the comments to see what people were saying. Most were saying it’s disgusting and we should stop glorifying pedophiles, and some made the good point that if the roles were reversed and a man teacher had sex with a 6th grade girl, it wouldn’t be something so fascinating. I didn’t see the interview – I am not sure I want to spend time doing so.

I have to admit I am surprised that they are still together after all these years. I think the whole thing is so odd but I guess love is not always logical.

A relationship between a 13-year-old and a 34-year-old teacher is without doubt exploitative. I suppose statistically some are going to survive and last the distance. It doesn’t make the original exploitation any more acceptable. It is surprising that their relationship has survived but we don’t know much about the individual psychology of the people involved. I don’t think she should be removed from the registry.

Good for them. That’s a longer marriage than a lot of people have. Yes, it started in an illegal way, but that’s in the past. The question is – are they stable and happy now?

If so, then I see no issues.

She’s a fruitcake and he needed a parental figure, it’s not a surprising turnout really. I got the impression he was not completely happy and she was just out in loony land. Who am I to judge them as adults though, they probably have a better relationship than most. There is gray area now but back when he was in the sixth grade the line was clearly crossed and the response was appropriate.

I think it’s a tricky and frustrating business trying to find the logic in the attraction between 2 people. I only remember thinking at the time of the hoopla that had the gender roles been reversed, the man (if not lynched) would certainly be in prison well beyond today. I know for a fact that when I was 14, I was all but desperate to be “victimized” by a hot teacher.

I think the guy should be in jail. He clearly took advantage of a mentally ill teacher.

Not surprised. Love can be found anywhere. I’m glad they’re still together so they can shut some of the naysayers up.

They won’t take her off the registry or let her teach again, though. That would involve admitting you were wrong and the law isn’t good at that.

I only saw a few minutes of the interview and it was the part where he said he had severe bouts of depression. I wonder if the depression is from his relationship and all the pressure he went through, or if he would still have the depression had he grown up differently.

I came across this article about this situation, with quotes from Fuallau and his comments about the depression he suffered because of the lack of support he felt as a teenage father. His advice to his daughters is interesting too.