I was lucky. I was able to push off the advances. But it was
very awkward. I had similar advances made by older teen and
adult males in authority positions, but I was likewise able to
wiggle my way out of situations.
I wanted to go into teaching or child psychology in college. I
took some classes, never finished. But I was persuaded to not
pursue working with kids because I was a single male. It was the
early 1990s and I fit the stereotype. [single white male]
But I have no regrets. I see everybody as overgrown children, so
I help people (usually online) wherever I find them to feel
better about themselves, be honest with themselves, express
their uniqueness and resist the pressures of conformity; AND to
remain wise if they *do* decide to conform.
[I don't think conformity is a bad thing for some people; it
makes life easier to conform to group norms. I just try to
advice people to remain themselves while also being a part of
groups if they like].
So, I get to do my dream anyhow, just in a different context.
