Britten's Children

[poliphilo]

Benjamin Britten loved boys but could be trusted to have them sleep over because he valued them for their innocence. Parents allowed him free access to their little nippers and the little nippers- now old men- speak of him with an affection tinged with hero-worship.  They feel privileged to have known him. David Hemmings- now not only old but dead- cut to the chase. "Did he give me one? No he didn't"

Autre temps, autre moeurs.

Britten was a paedophile, but an ethical one. We seem to have lost the ability to conceive of such a thing. I think it's a pity. 

Comments

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Neither would I.

And yet...the kids who spent time with Britten seem to have been greatly enriched by the relationship. There was a risk, but perhaps in this case it was worth taking.

A very tricky situation.

P.S. I agree about Jackson. A very damaged, deeply corrupted man.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

The scoutmaster of my first Boy Scout troop was apparently a paedophile or at the very least seemed to have an intense interest in younger men, especially our Senior Patrol Leader. It was rather creepy and I had no use for JD, but strangely not because of his interest in boys.

There was another local man, heavily involved in Scouting, who I also strongly suspect was a paedophile. He was a puppeteer, ventriloquist and amateur stage magician, and, rather like Britten, I suppose, was much beloved by every child that new him. Those of us that grew up around him, though, knew that he would soon loose his interest in the youngsters as they matured and revert to type: generally a steaming asshole, most days.

Whether or not either man was ethical, I have no idea.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Paedophiles swarm around scouting. It's only to be expected.

David Hemmings says Britten dropped him like a hot coal as soon as his voice broke.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

Paedophiles and Mormons, though why exactly Scouting attracts Mormons seems a far greater mystery. On the whole, I'd rather take my chances with the kiddie diddlers.