Should Teacher Tiffany Shepherd Have Been Fired for Bikini Photos?

Former biology teacher Tiffany Shepherd has turned to porn after being fired over bikini-clad photos. Turning to porn was a last resort, as Tiffany Shepherd had sent 2,500 resumes in an attempt to land another teaching job. She's now making porn movies under the name Leah Lust.

Captain Gil Coombes, who owns the company that had gotten Tiffany Shepherd in trouble for the photos in the first place, suggested that suggested porn as a way to make money, arguing that at this point she'd never be able to land another teaching job.

While there are, perhaps, other possible career paths, I can't really judge Tiffany Shepherd for doing this. She's already lost her teaching job and custody of her children because of a few bikini photos. And she has made a concerted effort to find other jobs. I don't blame her for doing what she needs to support herself. At least she's not draining taxpayer money by collecting unemployment or welfare.

According to the New York Daily News, Tiffany Shepherd explains that her work is very professional, that everyone is tested for STDs, and that she is responsible with the money.

Tiffany Shepherd's Bikini Photos: Firing Her Sends a Negative Message

Firing Tiffany Shepherd for the bikini photos sends several negative messages. One obvious consequence is that instead of being able to continue a fulfilling job that she loved and where she making a positive impact on young lives, she's been pressured to turn to porn. Instead of being a real teacher, she's playing a sex-ed teacher in porno flicks.

Another consequence of Tiffany Shepherd's firing is that it sends a negative message to girls already in the porn industry. There may be many girls in the adult industry who have aspirations of getting out and pursuing other careers, but they may be afraid to leave out of fear that their past will be held against them. It seems a bit unfair that some of these people may spend the rest of their lives paying for choices they made when they were young. With cases like Tiffany Shepherd/Leah Lust, what incentive do these girls have for getting out of the porn industry?

Tiffany Shepherd's Bikini Photos: Double Standards in Society

Society seems to have double standards when it comes to perceived vices. The public was able to forgive George W. Bush for his past alcoholism or Bill Clinton for smoking weed in college or Barack Obama for trying cocaine. Yet extra-marital affairs have irrevocably tarnished the careers of Bill Clinton, John Edwards, John Ensign, and Mark Sanford. If someone who has tried marijuana can be elected to the nation's highest office, then why can't someone with a few bikini photos be allowed to continue teaching?

Sex-related incidents seem to be weighted on a more stringently. We saw this double standard on American Idol as well when the talented Frenchie Davis was disqualified for sexual photos (in spite of having done nothing illegal) while Scott Savol was allowed to continue in the competition despite a previous arrest.

In any case, if Tiffany Shepherd/Leah Lust was unable to regain a teaching position after a few bikini photos, then it will become nearly impossible now that she is shooting porn movies. Hopefully she'll use the money wisely as she considers her options after the porn career ends.

Sources:

Bikini-clad teacher Tiffany Shepherd turns to porn after being fired from Florida high school, Eitan Gavish