D&D has threatened my job!

[Buttercup]

Then arn't they violating the terms of their release?

But basically what you are saying is Saqhara shouldn't worry you wouldn't assume he's a pedophile, just because he happened to be an adult (without a child) in the children's book section.

They might well be violating the terms of their release. That's for the police to decide however, not me. And you're correct. Lots of adults sit in the children's area and read. But they don't typically stare at, follow, or bribe strange children. Also, they don't say things like "Do you like ponies? I have a pony right here. Would you like to ride my pony?" (I actually witnessed a guy say this. Right before I called the cops.)

 

[Buttercup]

Actually, I was never ID'd (that sounds bad in and of itself) as a potential threat, it is just the thought of someone thinking I was being nefarious as opposed to blissfully ignorant. In the future I think I'll just sign out any children's books should I pursue that avenue again.

As long as you are minding your own business, I seriously doubt anyone will assume anything untoward about you. As I said in my repsonse to Bagpuss, plenty of adults enjoy children's books, and peruse the children's section. That in itself doesn't raise eyebrows--at least not in anyplace I've ever worked.

 

[durin]

I am a teacher also. While I live in a larger community, Austin TX, I teach in a small-town-feel suburb. I have introduced many of my students, and other children at my school, to RPG's through a school club. We play on Friday afternoons right there in my classroom in front of plenty of other students. I set ground rules, forbid them to take game issues away from the table, and generally try to stamp out all the things other adults have knee-jerk reactions to. You might ask your principal if such a club would be welcome at your school.

In the four or five years this club has been meeting (I call it Game Club and any thinking, strategic game is welcome -- most kids play Magic or Yu-Gi-Oh, some play chess and Risk, etc.) I have only ever had one set of parents voice even the glimmer of a concern. Their son was a sixth-grader and it was his first time to ever role-play. The father was a minister. The mom called me up and wanted to know more and voice some concerns. Mainly, she wanted to make sure I wasn't leading their son away from God. When I explained <everything from the last paragraph> and that in addition to teaching middle school I also teach Sunday school for two-year-olds, she was cool with it all and he turned out to be one of my more enthusatic players.

If you can be cool-headed about it (your post inferred you might not be) you might try calling the mom and asking about her concerns. By showing you value her concerns, you give her a feeling of worth and make a personal connection to her. Even if you don't change her mind, this may still take care of the problem before anyone has need for a lawyer.

 

[Hunter Simon]

I also agree that the smartest thing is to disallow any minors from my game. It is the simplest move that solves all problems. In fact, since the other kid's mom (the lead whisperer in the whisper campaign) has gone pyscho, there is one regular player who is a minor.

But I have to look at that kid and ask, "Does he or does he not deserve to play?" My gut says yes. I'm not doing anything wrong, I'm providing a social, intellectually stimulating and creative activity. I have as much right to teach the game to a younger generation as anyone, and he has the right to play it.

Your lack of wisdom is going to lead to trouble, I fear. But I wish you the best. :\

 

[Dinkeldog]

Just as a reminder, please leave real-world religion at the door. This is not about modern day religions vs. D&D. Most especially, refrain from negative comments related to a specific religion and/or its adherents.

Thanks.

--Dinkeldog
Moderator

 

[Celtavian]

re

They might well be violating the terms of their release. That's for the police to decide however, not me. And you're correct. Lots of adults sit in the children's area and read. But they don't typically stare at, follow, or bribe strange children. Also, they don't say things like "Do you like ponies? I have a pony right here. Would you like to ride my pony?" (I actually witnessed a guy say this. Right before I called the cops.)

I'm so happy I don't work around this. I would have lost my mind if I saw this. I cannot bear a child being harmed. Worst crime on this earth.

 

[JDJarvis]

Teachers and students mingling with each other can be a scoailly awkward thing and can endanger a teachers job. One of my best friends has a crush on one of her proffesors this year (already) , she is an adult (28) but any relationship between her and her teacher may be viewed as a matter to have her proffesor removed from the college.

Years back at the near the end of Sr Year one of my circle of high school chums was joining the Coast Guard and his parents threw a Keg party for him and anyone he wanted to invite (illegal then but not considered socially evil by many) and the guests included one of our shop teachers and a science teacher, both of whom did show up and sociallized with us for some time that day, both men still would have been in career jeopardy if that information got back to the shcool because of fratrenizing with minors while illegal activities were going on (under age drinking). One of them played D&D with us every now and again aftershool on school grounds but he never hought it was a good idea to come by one of our houses to play because that may have been looked on poorly. That was about 20 years ago, those two men were certainly in our circle of friends and lines were certainly crossed every now and then but they (and we) still had to be careful.

My regualr D&D group has one minor in it but he is the stepson of one of the players. I also DM a game every now and again for a group of boys ages 7 to 10, one is my son and two of the others are sons of friends. I wouldn't have a minor in my game who wasn't either there with a parent or delivered to my house by a parent.

 

[Psionicist]

If you decide to let the parents monitor the game, hide the Book of Erotic Fantasy. Trust me.

 

[Aeolius]

If you decide to let the parents monitor the game, hide the Book of Erotic Fantasy. Trust me.

as well as the BoVD, and the revised MM (succubus, nymph, etc)

 

[Brennin Magalus]

I agree with those who think your principal did you a favor. I wonder if recording your game time with a camcorder would help indemnify you.