Why are *all* Muggles so tolerant of their wizard children?

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 47305

Pagan Michelle wrote:

> One thing I've never been able to understand about this entire world
> dreamed up by JKR...the WW goes to such lengths to hide themselves, 
> and
> yet, wizards can be born to all-muggle families (i.e. Hermione 
>Granger).
> Now while her parents were apparently just fine with her being a 
>witch
> (just like Lily's parents were *so* happy -- SS/PS), aren't there 
>ever
> people like the Durselys, who, if they had a son (their own blood, 
>as
> opposed to their nephew) who was a witch, would completely go 
>beserk and
> hate him forever, then make it their life's work to inform the 
>world of
> these nutters?


I reply:

Well, first of all, we have absolutely no evidence that everyone 
invited to Hogwarts actually attends.  I think it highly doubtful 
that parents would end up hating their own child simply because they 
discover he or she is magical.  I personally believe there is much 
more to the Dursley's dislike of the wizarding world than we have 
been told to this point.  However, I also don't think most parents 
would react by being thrilled.  It has been hypothesized (although 
there is no canon to support it) that Muggle children receive a much 
more in-depth invitation than that which Harry received.  Perhaps 
even a wizard representative is sent to the parents to explain the 
wizarding world, Hogwarts, and magic in general.  If, after all this, 
the parents are still not thrilled with the idea of their child being 
sent into this new world, a simple Memory Charm (as Audra suggests) 
would take care of everything.