Domestic Discipline in Academia...

I've been a professor here for almost two decades now... my students sometimes call me Doctor D, but it's just a nickname among peers. Recently, I decided to explore an aspect of myself that had been simmering below the surface for years, my desire to be a disciplinarian in more than just academic terms. One evening, I invited a close friend, someone who knows and respects my work as well as my private interests, over for tea... but we ended up discussing something far deeper. After some mutual understanding and consent, she agreed to experience what it means to have an authority figure guide her... not through grades or research, but in matters of personal conduct and behavior. I found myself stepping into a role where I could gently yet firmly correct inappropriate actions, and offer guidance with an air of parental control. The power dynamic felt natural, like a father's wisdom imparted from experience to a younger soul seeking direction. It was incredibly fulfilling to see her growth and transformation over the weeks that followed... knowing I'd played a part in guiding her back towards responsibility and maturity.