FAT

[meboriqua at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 20381

I've been reading the postings about Dudley, his weight and his 
problems. Here are my thoughts:

Someone mentioned that Dudley's upbringing is really the issue with 
his weight.  I completely agree.  Petunia and Vernon Dursley are, IMO, 
not very good parents.  As mean as they are to Harry, they spoil 
Dudley even more.  He has been given no limits, no consequences, and 
no real guidance of any kind for his behavior.  I think parents who 
allow their children to eat endlessly are abusive.  It's a form of 
neglect, because anyone as obese as Dudley is unhealthy and any normal 
parent should see that.  Insisting that "my child is not like that!" 
when all evidence points to the contrary is doing an injustice to 
one's child.

JKR is clearly showing us the kind of parents the Dursleys are.  His 
weight is a way to physically show us how spoiled, gluttonous and 
careless Dudley has become because that is how his parents raised him.  
I understand that JKR's constant references to his weight are not the 
nicest references, but his weight has become a symbol of how he was 
raised.  Had Dudley's parents said no more than just once or twice in 
his life, he might not be the bullying, temper tantrum throwing 14 
year old he is now.  I'm curious to see what will come of his diet.

--jenny from raveclaw******************************