Weasley Economics

Sydney sydpad at yahoo.com
Fri Nov 8 16:00:25 UTC 2002


No: HPFGUIDX 46323

Rita wrote:
>  
> Anyway, it's true that it strikes as odd that a single mother 
campaigning
> for a change in the view of single-parent families includes not 
even a tiny
> example of this but only traditional families with males and 
females taking
> on traditional roles. 

Well, there IS Hagrid, who was brought up by his father in a 
decidedly non-traditional situation;  ditto Neville, brought up by 
his Grandmother with occasional kibitzing by great-uncles.

Rita wrote:

> Having 4 (and for 1 year, 
> 5) kids at Hogwarts may be very expensive but still it strikes 
me that
> things seem never to get better. As, even without being rich, my 
family has
> never had any serious financial problems I may be wrong, but 
it seems
> unrealistic to me that the Weasleys still can't get anything new!
> R.

Well,  the question also is, what are 'serious' financial 
problems?  The Weasley's don't seem in danger of starving or 
anything similar, but seven kids in boarding school, including 
competion brooms for Charlie and the twins, must have been a 
constant drain.  I'm not surprised their savings are pretty low.  
That said, the Weasleys do seem to be a little bad with money.  
Blowing the whole prize gold on visiting Bill sounds a bit 
impulsive to me.

Another point to remember, is that Ron is particularily stung by 
his poverty RELATIVE to Harry.  In comparison with a best friend 
with  a massive trust fund, anyone is bound to feel hard done by, 
never mind a fourteen-year-old boy.

RE:  Molly working-- a factor to consider, is the employment 
situation in the WW... what's she supposed to do, tend bar?  
Perhaps she's selling the eggs and various handicrafts such as 
jam or something, but one the whole wizarding employment is 
either ministry, or artisanship, with a smattering of service jobs.  
Madam Rosmerta owns and waits on the Three Broomsticks; 
even Olivander minds his own till;  and goblins reserve all the 
banking work to themselves.  If she was at home  with Ginny 
until a couple of years ago, her options seem pretty limited to 
me, as she wouldn't have a ministry career-track set up.

"Sydney"   






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