Masturbation Story Gets Teacher Suspended
A very popular 11th grade English teacher was suspended last week because he handed out a short story by Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk. The story was called “Guts” and is a cautionary tale about teens experimenting with masturbation techniques.
The story is pretty graphic and is full of strong imagery. Aside from the obvious literary value of the story, there is also strong social value. The story is from the point of view of a young teen who hears rumors of various bizarre masturbation techniques from his older brother. He talks about two of them in graphic detail and the disastrous effects that these two people who tried them experienced. Then he goes on and talks about the one that he tried and the disastrous consequences it had on his life.
The Bronx High School teacher collected the copies of the story from his students at the end of class. Nevertheless, word of the story got out and the principal transferred the teacher to administrative duties while an investigation began. He was suspended last week. 30 year old, Greg Van Voorhis has taught at the school for 7 years and has had a reputation for “pushing the envelope.”
Now why was he suspended? The story discusses masturbation. So what? These are 11th graders from the Bronx. Statistically speaking, most of them have already had sex. If masturbation were discussed in a health class, would that be a problem? Well, according to some people, yes. But again the issue is why?
It is not that this teacher had his students read this story so that he could get his jollies. There is a clear literary component to the story and even if there wasn’t, the story is a cautionary tale about a teen and about teen issues. Is it graphic? You bet. Is it educational? Absolutely.
Students and teachers of the school have set up a facebook page in support of Mr. V. as his students call him. You can also read the story “Guts” by Chuck Palahniuk, here.