Bullying (was: SPOILERS.Re: JKR site update)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 114836


Aura: 
> I think this was an older question, but I noticed that Jo answered 
> a q, "What is your advice for kids who are being bullied." Her 
> answer is an emphatic, "TELL SOMEONE." So in regards to the "abuse" 
> debate that's been going on, it is apparently Jo's opinion that 
> Harry was wrong not to tell anyone about Umbridge's detentions, and 
> that Neville probably should talk to someone about the anxiety 
> Snape has been causing him. (BTW, I agree with the people who said 
> that Harry isnt' being particularly abused by Snape, but Neville 
> is.) It still irritates me, though, that the Dursley's abuse is 
> ignored and protected by the books.


SSSusan:
I found it interesting that JKR answered that question *not* in 
the "About the Books" category, but in the "Other Stuff" category.  I 
think, as many have pointed out here, Hogwarts is very definitely not 
like modern Western education (esp. not like modern American public 
schools).  It's also been discussed here that there isn't exactly a 
counseling system in place at Hogwarts, at least not that we see.  
Students seem to be expected to be pretty tough and to "buck up" and 
just take a lot.

JKR's answering this question *is* interesting in light of recent 
discussions around here, but I do think it's noteworthy that she's 
pulled it to the "Other Stuff" section.  I think she's writing to 
today's children, living in RL, not *necessarily* equating it to what 
our crew is dealing w/ in her fictional WW.

Siriusly Snapey Susan, who hopes this doesn't sound as if she's 
defending bullies or anything.