NOT EVERY PARENT IS APPROVING OF " Harry Potter books

[Aussie-reader]

At the risk of becoming a stuck record - it is not about 'anything magical', or about the violence, almhere; it is about glorifying witchcraft.

- and I don't think people who don't like their children reading Harry Potter are against all fairy tales

[alyssawilson28]

I have read the whole series many times. My student teacher in the fourth grade started reading the first books to us the year it came out and I loved it. I think they are great books and helps kids be more imaginative. I don't have any kids yet but I do plan to let them read the series if they choose to do so.

[npandit]

I remember back when I was in high school my mom had nothing to threaten me with. Her being upset would go like this:

"You're grounded from the TV"
My response, shrug "okay"
"Well you're grounded from the phone too."
"Okay."
"And the computer!"
"Okay."

My sister kept telling her to ground me from my books, but she said she just couldn't do that.

When I was grounded as a child, I had to sit in the living room and watch TV with the family. It really was a punishment, because all I wanted to do was read books in my room, where I wouldn't be disturbed.

Hahahaa!! My parents would have to hide my books. I would find them (always in the sock drawer) and read them secretly.


As for the books "glorifying" witchcraft, I suppose one could view it in that light--ironically, however, the major themes in the story are Christian; and the resolution in the end is reminiscent of Christ's sacrifice.

But when the mind is closed, no amount of knocking is going to open it, so I've never tried to convince anyone to read something they don't want to.

[catolle]

My dad was one of those parents when they first came out but after begging and begging he finally caved in. I can see where parents get worried because some people take the book into reality. Books are enjoyable and are a way to escape reality and as long as we know its not real then I don't see a problem.

[suzy1124]

My dad was one of those parents when they first came out but after begging and begging he finally caved in. I can see where parents get worried because some people take the book into reality. Books are enjoyable and are a way to escape reality and as long as we know its not real then I don't see a problem.

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Kudos to your dad for caring enough about you to be so involved in your " reading life "....

The world needs more parents like him! ....

[Nimbus Wolfsbane]

I don't see any problem with it

[CrescentMoon]

I grew up with the Harry Potter books and I honestly think I became smarter after reading them. These books are so imaginative and J.K. Rowling used so many big words I had to look them up in the dictionary. I have to say my vocabulary increased a lot and Harry Potter was also filled with such good morals and values. It was definitely a series that got me excited about reading. I can't understand how parents would be disapproving of such great books.

[David Dawson]

Maybe it's an empathetic failure on my part, but I just cannot understand "the promotion of witchcraft" being an objection to a book.

[S dot Lennon]

I read the first Harry Potter book when I was 12 years old. It had just been published in the US and I loved every minute of it. My mother never blinked. Mind you I had been reading Stephen King for the last 3 years, so a fantasy book about a wizard wasnt a big deal. My issue when parents say no to a book like Harry Potter based on the belief that it promotes withcraft or is against Christianity is simple: don't judge a book by its label/synopsis. Don't read the word wizard and tremble in fear. If your child genuinely wants to read a book and you don't know how you feel about it then you should read it and then make your decision. Then, in the case of Harry Potter, you would see the innocence, you would see the references to Christmas and Easter, you would realize that it is a book marketed towards a certain age, that eventually changes as the books progress. You would see that it was a fiction book that isnt trying to turn your child over to the dark side. Don't take away an experience for your child when you are uneducated on the topic. Hearsay is not a reason to stop your child from enjoying a book. If you, as a parent, read the book and decide that no it isnt for your child and it does conflict then fine. At least you are making an educated decision and not blindly judging. I had a friend whose mother wouldn't let her read Harry Potter but let her watched Charmed (a televison show about 3 sisters who are witches and practice witchcraft in the modern age, circa the late 1990's). I didn't understand it then. I don't understand it now.

[rangel81]

I had read them when I was in college. So I was a bit older than the targeted audience in that regard. But now that I do know what it is about, I hesitate to let my children read them since the subject is witchcraft & sorcery. If I consider voodoo an unsuitable choice of reading matter, then I conclude this series is unsuitable too. But I'm not going to force my opinion on others. It is just my choice as a parent & I won't inflict my opinion on someone else's way of parenting. It is not so much the fact that it is a very gripping plot & just a story. It is a matter of principle for me. So contrary to most others here, I do disapprove of Harry Potter as a reading choice for children. If I want my kids to have some experience reading fantasy, I would go with The Chronicles of Narnia any day.

[David Dawson]

I hesitate to let my children read them since the subject is witchcraft & sorcery.

Genuinely curious, could you explain why you think "witchcraft & sorcery" are unsuitable topics for children? (On a separate point, I'd probably argue that that's not what the books are about anyway, but that's a different issue...)

[gali]

Maybe it's an empathetic failure on my part, but I just cannot understand "the promotion of witchcraft" being an objection to a book.

Neither can I.

[prarich]

I think it is harmless entertainment for kids. Most important, it re-inforces their habit of reading,builds their language skills, if not anything else. I would encourage my child to read them, and also wait to read the next editions.

[Wolfsbane Creations]

I don't see any harm

[LittleWilma]

I think that a parent's opinion should be respected whether we agree with them or not. As a Christian, I can see not allowing a child to read a book about witches. I have a sister-in-law who forbade Harry Potter. My sister and nephew enjoyed it. This particular series is a moot point in my case, because neither of my children has ever had any interest in anything to do with Harry Potter.