Newbie and some questions about Slytherins

[Krissy]

No: HPFGUIDX 92220

Siriusly Snapey Susan:
>>I'd like to respectfully disagree still.  I think it *is* free 
will.  It's not EASY--in fact, many times it may be dastardly 
difficult--but it is free will.  In the example I gave, I went on to 
talk about high school students I'd had who came from racist homes, 
and the Hogwarts crew are boarding school students, which means 
they're even more free to act/think/learn free of their parental 
influence.  If someone like Sirius could buck the Black family 
traditions & expectations, others could, too.  
 
>>I understand what you're saying about parents holding some 
control, esp. when they're in charge of the pursestrings, but I 
still think most of this comes down to choices, very difficult 
choices.  Even with parental restrictions, there is a degree of 
choice available to young people.  I mean, even if parents forbid 
something, the young person can make it known that they don't agree 
with or approve their parents.  ACTION may be denied, but ATTITUDE 
isn't.  Unthinking acceptance of parental views & stereotypes is 
what I think good education fights against.
>


Actually, I disagree quite strongly with you on this point. I 
completely understand what you are saying. Unfortunately, it's 
the "Hermione" way of thinking; imposing ones ideals and beliefs on 
a totally seperate society. The social structure for wizards is 
quite different than what it is with the Muggles.

In today's society, especially here in America, it's much easier to 
buck traditions and go against the beliefs one was brought up with. 
However, in the wizarding world, I don't think it would be so easy.

First of all, there would be the parents' expectations. Depending on 
the personality of both the child and the parent(s), that alone 
might be enough to close a child's mind against the possibility of 
new ideas. The parents also control the first 10 years of education 
that the children receive; it's not so far-fetched to believe that 
the truth about Muggles is distorted so that they won't know 
anything truthful about Muggles.

Also, I think if I had a father like Lucius Malfoy, I'd be terrified 
to go against him. I'm not a big supporter of the Abused!Draco, but 
I could see how having a father like Lucius would keep me in line. I 
am not certain as to what kind of relationship Draco has with his 
dad. I bet Lucius would not hesitate to kill or curse his family 
members if they moved against him.

I think a major part of the problem is Hogwarts itself. Susan stated 
that "Unthinking acceptance of parental views & stereotypes is what 
I think good education fights against." Unfortunately, I don't see 
Hogwarts doing anything to prevent racism. In fact, I think it 
almost encourages it. The children do indeed need to be educated, 
but Muggle Studies is only an elective, not a required course. The 
students are divided into houses based on personality and as far as 
I've seen, learn nothing of each other. I don't know if I consider 
taht good education or not.

Teachers haven't helped matters by showing favoritism to their own 
houses, and I see them judging people based not just on behavior but 
simply by being in a particular house. My point is, the students are 
not given an education about Muggles, so how can one say that it 
would be a simple matter of over-coming ideas that have been pounded 
into you since you learned to talk?

I hope my ideas make sense to everyone. Thank you for your time.

Cheers,


Krissy