Appropriate response to a middle-schooler?

[fencetennis]

I’m a college sophomore who has been teaching catechism to middle schoolers since my senior year of high school. I currently teach a class of 7th graders and today’s topic was on sin. I was asked a question today and am afraid that I did not answer this question well:

A boy in the class raised his hand and asked, “Is it a sin to like my teacher?”

I was taken a little off-guard but answered that we all have natural feelings and temptations but we must resist to act on them and that it is only sinful if we indeed act on them. I told him he should recognize that she is much older than he and she is in a place of authority as his teacher.

Was my answer confusing or not to the point enough? Should I have explained this more in depth or in a different way? Any responses (especially from those who teach children of middle school age) are greatly appreciated. God Bless!

 

[sharmin]

I’m a college sophomore who has been teaching catechism to middle schoolers since my senior year of high school. I currently teach a class of 7th graders and today’s topic was on sin. I was asked a question today and am afraid that I did not answer this question well:

A boy in the class raised his hand and asked, “Is it a sin to like my teacher?”

I was taken a little off-guard but answered that we all have natural feelings and temptations but we must resist to act on them and that it is only sinful if we indeed act on them. I told him he should recognize that she is much older than he and she is in a place of authority as his teacher.

Was my answer confusing or not to the point enough? Should I have explained this more in depth or in a different way? Any responses (especially from those who teach children of middle school age) are greatly appreciated. God Bless!

Was it a sincere question? Or was he referring to you?

 

[PattiDay]

I’m a college sophomore who has been teaching catechism to middle schoolers since my senior year of high school. I currently teach a class of 7th graders and today’s topic was on sin. I was asked a question today and am afraid that I did not answer this question well:

A boy in the class raised his hand and asked, “Is it a sin to like my teacher?”

I was taken a little off-guard but answered that we all have natural feelings and temptations but we must resist to act on them and that it is only sinful if we indeed act on them. I told him he should recognize that she is much older than he and she is in a place of authority as his teacher.

Was my answer confusing or not to the point enough? Should I have explained this more in depth or in a different way? Any responses (especially from those who teach children of middle school age) are greatly appreciated. God Bless!

Your answer was sincere, to the point, and in the proper context. It would not have been a good idea to have him further clarify what he meant by like. Since you answered that "he should reconize that she is older and in a place of authority, if it was feelings for you that prompted the question, he now knows where you stand on the subject.

 

[Dysmas1]

A well phrased reply to a child I’d say. No punches pulled and, more importantly, no ‘fluffy’ or ambiguous answer.
Good job.

Peace.

 

[Big_Dummy]

You may want to study the subject of the four loves in scripture. It is ok to like a Teacher or an Adult if it is three of the four. So, with that in mind your answer likely missed the mark,

 

[Dysmas1]

You may want to study the subject of the four loves in scripture. It is ok to like a Teacher or an Adult if it is three of the four. So, with that in mind your answer likely missed the mark,

Highly unlikely the child was referring to agape or another type of ‘wholesome’ love. In fact the OP said “like”. I’m reasonably sure that this student was referring to a sexual attraction and not friendship otherwise he would not have asked if it was ok. I imagine he asked because he knew his feelings were improper and wanted advice.

Peace

 

[PattiDay]

Before one can teach children in my Diocese, and presumably in every Catholic Diocese, that person has to have a background check and go through significant training to ensure that all children in our schools and churches are kept safe. A question by a child asking if it’s a sin to** like **his teacher must be addressed without equivocation, so that there is no misinterpretation that somehow there could be any relationship other than teacher/student. The OP showed excellent discretion. Instead of trying to interpret what the child meant, the teacher made it clear that she is there in a role of authority.

 

[Big_Dummy]

Since, I was not there it is very possible I misunderstood the verbal clues. But, from experience I had often seen the same type of question where it was in fact one of the three safe loves. I try not to assume the worse and ask follow up questions.

You may want to further address the differences between the four loves and fratuation.