Stereotyping

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 84634

"K" wrote:
> I think the problem is not that Molly is a stay at home mother with 
all the domestic and motherly attributes of a domestic goddess but 
rather that (at least until OoP) there were very very few strong 
female characters of any kind. In the wizarding world the impression 
was that as a woman you could be a teacher, a nurse or a mother. 
Hermione was the only schoolgirl we saw who didn't fit into a 
stereotypical giggling girly mould. In OoP Ginny was developed into a 
storng character, I'm reserving judgement on Luna and McGonagall 
became much more than just a teacher. Umbridge and Bellatrix gave
us some female bad guys and a past female Minister for Magic was 
mentioned.
<snip>
>but that doesn't change the fact
> that ... the WW was fairly sexist.
> 

I just don't see things this way.  Maybe I've read too much fanfic 
and my impressions are tainted by that, but overall in my reading of 
the Potterverse, I've found a refreshing *lack* of attention paid to 
one's gender.  Harry & Ron can be buddies with a girl.  Quidditch is 
*filled* with female players.  (Where does one see that in the RW's 
sports, at least where it's not even QUESTIONED but just IS?)  The 
Wizengamot icludes many female members.  The Order includes Molly, 
McGonagall & Tonks, an auror.  Pre-Umbridge, McGonagall takes over in 
DD's stead, NOT Snape or Flitwick or one of the other male teachers. 
Umbridge--awful person that she is--is clearly in a position of 
power.  The DA includes girls without reservation or protest, again 
something which would likely be questioned in many parts of the RW.  
I feel Ginny turning into a very strong young woman; Luna is 
definitely her own person; Hermione has a wide open future ahead of 
her; ....

One reason we see so few examples of what WW moms [whoops--mums] do 
is that these books take place in large part at boarding school.  
Parents aren't around; their daily lives aren't discussed much.  We 
have no clue what Mrs. Diggory does or Mrs. Finnigan or Mrs. Thomas 
or Mrs. Patil or Mrs. Brown.  No, JKR doesn't tell us these things, 
but what, really, would they add to the story?  How/when would they 
fit in?  JKR has kept the Order's membership pretty small to this 
point (for who knows what reason--to keep the number of characters 
manageable?), so until/unless that circle expands to include lots of 
other Hogwarts kids' parents, we'll likely never know what Mrs. X 
does--**or MR. X for that matter**.  That doesn't make the WW--or JKR-
-sexist, im(never-)ho.

Siriusly Snapey Susan