[HPforGrownups] Re: Teenagers, sex and culture

[Michelle Apostolides]

No: HPFGUIDX 8209

 But the above statement seems to imply that I don't know much
> about anything besides American culture (which in and of itself is a
> hodge-podge of just about every current civilization on the planet).
> Have I ever said this?
I'm sorry if I misintepreted your previous statments. I honestly had no
wish to offend.

> (sigh)  Again, I *do* see Naama's point.  I stated that before.
> However, please don't take this the wrong way, but I'm unsure that
> either of you see mine.
It's easy to misinterpret a written message when you can't place
emphasis on words, etc. I know.

> My students were not trying to bash British kids or say *they* were
> weird; they were only trying to read their experiences into the
> books.  They resented my "devil's advocate" statements, I think,
> because in their minds I was questioning their "ownership" of the
> books.  Sort of the way a jazz aficionado/ critic from Albania might
> feel if an African-American questioned their ability to interpret
> their favorite music.
I suppose so. But you have to remember that JKR seems to be using some
of her own experiences in writing the books. And that ( unless I'm
completely mistaken is middle class middle England ). And you have to
remember the kiss in that context. Which is more difficult to do when
you only ever see it on TV ( just like we do with American culture )
where accents and values are intermingled ( I'm thinking of pupular long
running drama, comedy and teen shows here ) therefore creating the false
impression that the two cultures are completely homogenous. Believe me,
I 've lived in France and Germany but would still have no clue as to how
their youth cultures work.

> I also doubt very seriously that as a rule American kids are less
> cosmopolitan or worldly wise that children in other cultures.
I can only generalise from my own experiences, as can we all. But my
howm town is Ford's UK HQ, so I've met quite a few people from different
cultures myself. A lot of Americans, mostly.

 This is  annoying--I might disagree with what you are saying, and
perhaps even
 feel as if you have no right to say it because I know more about it
than you do, but I respect your right to make your statement (case in
point:  the anti-HP Religious Right).
I wasn't trying to slap you down, I respect your view on a lot of
things. But this thing about the Kiss has been overblown anyway because
it's just a peck. Goodness, men and women who've only just met give each
other a peck on the cheek ! It's been really interesting reading about
your students' views. But they see it in a contest of a society where
I've gained the impression that dating starts far earlier than is the
case in my experience ( south eastern corner of  England ). That was my
point in the last mail.

> One interesting aspect of cultural criticism is that the most
> *objective* critiques often come from persons who hail from outside
> of that culture (de Tocqueville comes to mind).
I've not studied literary criticism ( to pull a book apart for the sake
of it is the quickest way to loathe a favourite book ) but if you want
to e-mail me off line to explain this last point, I'd welcome that.

Michelle