NOT EVERY PARENT IS APPROVING OF " Harry Potter books

mckinnem · Post by **mckinnem** » 29 Jan 2014, 15:02

I am a parent and tried to get my daughter to read these anything to get her to try something I enjoy and thought she would love it it's no worse as some books I have read and as long as there are no sexual themes I say let the kids read it.

roberts-rl · Post by **roberts-rl** » 29 Jan 2014, 19:33

I don't see anything wrong with the books. There is an underlying theme of good conquering evil and JK Rowling stresses the importance of friendship and love. There is no sexual content and there are maybe two cuss words used throughout the series. Yes, kids should know that witchcraft is not real, but it isn't as if JK Rowling was trying to persuade people of thinking otherwise. She merely created an extraordinary world filled with imagination. It makes no sense for people to avoid it because it has unrealistic qualities because that is after all the definition of a fictional story.

thegiltyone · Post by **thegiltyone** » 01 Feb 2014, 21:18

I can't see why they wouldn't approve, but a parent has the right to choose what the children are subjected to. Personally I'd let my child read ALMOST any book they found. I wouldn't actively go against it; that's just asking them to rebel.

thesongreader · Post by **thesongreader** » 02 Feb 2014, 15:07

Personally, I think anyone who tries to prevent anyone else from ready any book should probably not- but then I'm also super against censorship.

Aussie-reader · Post by **Aussie-reader** » 02 Feb 2014, 16:57

thesongreader wrote:Personally, I think anyone who tries to prevent anyone else from ready any book should probably not- but then I'm also super against censorship.

I wouldn't object to my children reading Harry Potter (although I understand the reasoning of those who have religious objections to books glorifying witchcraft) - but cant agree with above sentiment.

It IS a parents role to supervise, censor if you like, what their children read.

If my children were advanced readers, I wouldn't allow them to read adult books with heavily sexual themes or books glorifying violence - just as I censor my children's TV and movie watching, so I should censor their reading material.

Censorship of adults is a different matter - but that's not what this thread is about.

suzy1124 · Post by **suzy1124** » 03 Feb 2014, 04:46

Aussie-reader wrote:
thesongreader wrote:Personally, I think anyone who tries to prevent anyone else from ready any book should probably not- but then I'm also super against censorship.
I wouldn't object to my children reading Harry Potter (although I understand the reasoning of those who have religious objections to books glorifying witchcraft) - but cant agree with above sentiment.

It IS a parents role to supervise, censor if you like, what their children read.

If my children were advanced readers, I wouldn't allow them to read adult books with heavily sexual themes or books glorifying violence - just as I censor my children's TV and movie watching, so I should censor their reading material.

Censorship of adults is a different matter - but that's not what this thread is about.

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Thank you Aussie Reader!
FINALLY, someone who " gets it! "

jeromysangel6 · Post by **jeromysangel6** » 04 Feb 2014, 13:14

I think the parents that tell their kids what they're allowed to read dont think their kids are smart enough to think for themselves. If they are really that impressionable its because of the parents. When I worked at walmart when my kids were little I actually had a guy say he wouldn't buy grapes because they had a picture of harry potter on them. I told him he was an idiot.

Hearty Guy · Post by **Hearty Guy** » 04 Feb 2014, 13:22

suzy1124 wrote:WOW!...
I''m surptised. , so far it looks unanimous, all of you approve...

Woe to the one that comes on here saying they DON'T APPROVE of Harry Potter books or their children. Haha, there must be a few out there.. but don't want to spit into the wind here on this board lol!

Oops, meant to say "Harry Potter books For their children",but it might be truer the way I mistakenly put it, so I'll let it stand.

daleyrnesq · Post by **daleyrnesq** » 04 Feb 2014, 16:41

I have two children, both of whom are a bit too young to read the Harry Potter books as yet. However, I've read all of them; I absolutely loved them! I definitely plan on introducing my daughter to them once she's old enough. IMO they are an excellent example of good fiction...please note I said" fiction." It's important for us to make sure our children to understand that Harry Potter is not real, but other than that, I certainly don't see the big deal with kids reading them.

Aussie-reader · Post by **Aussie-reader** » 04 Feb 2014, 16:49

Hearty Guy wrote:
suzy1124 wrote:WOW!...
I''m surptised. , so far it looks unanimous, all of you approve...
Woe to the one that comes on here saying they DON'T APPROVE of Harry Potter books or their children. Haha, there must be a few out there.. but don't want to spit into the wind here on this board lol!

Oops, meant to say "Harry Potter books For their children",but it might be truer the way I mistakenly put it, so I'll let it stand.

hahaha

- was about to come on and say I don't always approve of my children

- but I see you re-worded it.

-- 05 Feb 2014, 07:25 --

jeromysangel6 wrote:I think the parents that tell their kids what they're allowed to read dont think their kids are smart enough to think for themselves. If they are really that impressionable its because of the parents. When I worked at walmart when my kids were little I actually had a guy say he wouldn't buy grapes because they had a picture of harry potter on them. I told him he was an idiot.

Hmmm - does this apply to TV shows and movies as well?

Because I dont agree - leaving aside Harry Potter books in particular - I didn't just let my kids watch any TV or any movies just because they are 'smart enough to think for themselves'
Some TV shows, movies, written material I deemed not suitable at certain ages and didn't let them access it.
I think most people would deem very adult movies unsuitable for young children - whilst I wouldn't ban Harry Potter, the same process applies to written material.

I don't think it is ok to call someone an idiot if they disapprove of Harry Potter so much that they don't buy licenced products endorsed with it.
It's not a point of view I subscribe to, but I can respect it.

Aithne · Post by **Aithne** » 04 Feb 2014, 17:04

As a non-religious but spiritual and liberal person I find it hard to accept the extent to which some religious families censor their children to aspects of the world but they shouldn't influence my life so I shouldn't influence theirs, I guess.

In terms of kids and Harry Potter I see nothing wrong with it.
In terms of what I may or may not censor for any future kids I have...very little. I'd keep more or less to movie age limits (unless the movie obviously doesn't warrant the age group). Books I'd probably do similar to what my mother did: let the child read at their level of maturity and reading skill and introduce more sexual themes as they begin to come of age so they know about "what goes on in the bedroom". I think my mother gave me a mild mills and boon book when I was 12/13.

Hearty Guy · Post by **Hearty Guy** » 04 Feb 2014, 18:25

Aussie-reader wrote:
Hearty Guy wrote:
suzy1124 wrote:WOW!...
I''m surptised. , so far it looks unanimous, all of you approve...
Woe to the one that comes on here saying they DON'T APPROVE of Harry Potter books or their children. Haha, there must be a few out there.. but don't want to spit into the wind here on this board lol!

Oops, meant to say "Harry Potter books For their children",but it might be truer the way I mistakenly put it, so I'll let it stand.
hahaha - was about to come on and say I don't always approve of my children - but I see you re-worded it.

-- 05 Feb 2014, 07:25 --

jeromysangel6 wrote:I think the parents that tell their kids what they're allowed to read dont think their kids are smart enough to think for themselves. If they are really that impressionable its because of the parents. When I worked at walmart when my kids were little I actually had a guy say he wouldn't buy grapes because they had a picture of harry potter on them. I told him he was an idiot.
Hmmm - does this apply to TV shows and movies as well?

Because I dont agree - leaving aside Harry Potter books in particular - I didn't just let my kids watch any TV or any movies just because they are 'smart enough to think for themselves'
Some TV shows, movies, written material I deemed not suitable at certain ages and didn't let them access it.
I think most people would deem very adult movies unsuitable for young children - whilst I wouldn't ban Harry Potter, the same process applies to written material.

I don't think it is ok to call someone an idiot if they disapprove of Harry Potter so much that they don't buy licenced products endorsed with it.
It's not a point of view I subscribe to, but I can respect it.

I agree with everything you said Aussie – reader. Also, the ages of the children as well as their level of maturity come very much into play with regard to permissions and restrictions.

goldenmountains230 · Post by **goldenmountains230** » 04 Feb 2014, 22:41

To be honest, I'm one of the people who don't approve of Harry Potter at all. I think anything can be harmful, including a book, especially when actual curses are written within the words of the book.

jhollan2 · Post by **jhollan2** » 05 Feb 2014, 04:20

Finally...some dissension in the ranks! Goldenmountains230, I'd really like to hear more about your perspective. What is it that you don't approve of? Have you read the books? What do you mean by "actual curses?" I love a good debate. Teach us your ways.

suzy1124 · Post by **suzy1124** » 05 Feb 2014, 08:35

goldenmountains230 wrote:To be honest, I'm one of the people who don't approve of Harry Potter at all. I think anything can be harmful, including a book, especially when actual curses are written within the words of the book.

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G.M.230!....

KUDOS to you ! for expressing your opinion on this board w/a decidedly " permissive " view....re raising children , the phrase " anything goes " comes to mind....

I've never read the book, but reserve the right to " screen " any reading matter BEFORE they get a hold of it...
the opinions here are also skewed by " AGE "...if i had to guess i'd say the average age on this board leans more towards the " kids reading Harry Potter " than the parents who justifiably decide what their kids eat, read, drink, etc...

Soooo what would one expect them to say!!!

imo till you're 18, and not under my roof, I DECIDE!....kids have no " rights " until they're not kids anymore!...( wow! what a novel concept )...lolol

kids " rule more households " these days than ever thought possible.........somehow the roles have " switched " between parent and child......OY VEY, DIOS MIO!