Nel Question #9: Gender - Perfect Sense

[Tammy]

No: HPFGUIDX 127491


> phoenixgod:
> > I would make the opposite arguement. To me it seems obvious that a
> > woman is writing this story. the whole thing smacks of stereotypes of
> > boyhood and boyish tendencies without any real understanding. I think
> > in a lot of ways the books are demeaning in their portrayal of teen
> > boys. Ron in particular seems a victim of this to me. I refuse to
> > believe that a boy with *five* older brothers could be so clueless
> > about the fairer sex while a bookish only child with few friends
> > possesses keen insight into the same pairings. It totally buys into
> > the sterotype that teen boys are immature and silly while girls are
> > somehow born with maturity and social wisdom. I work with kids their
> > age every day and I can tell you it just ain't true.


>laura wrote: 
> I totally agree that some of the stereotypes of boyhood in the 
> Potterverse are demeaning to actual boys, but I think you also need to 
> consider the fact that JKR often uses negative stereotypes of teen 
> girls as well (giggling, shrieking, being 'helpers' etc.).
> 
> Same token, obverse side:  some of the boy-stereotyping is positive 
> (physical bravery, being 'leaders'), as is some of the 
> girl-stereotyping (more mature).
> 
> Personally, I don't think any of it is any good (stereotyping so rarely 
> is), but I'm willing to forgive all of it, as I love JKR. ^_~
> 


Tammy:
So JKR stereotypes - some stereotypes aren't all that bad. For the
most part, boys are immature and clueless when it comes to girls. For
the most part, young girls giggle, shriek, and end up being mommy's or
teacher's little helper. I submit - so what? 

If you think back to your school days, how many oddballs were there?
How many clueless immature boys? How many giggling girls, who usually
do travel in packs? Not all of the characters fit the same stereotype
either. You've got Ron, the classic youngest boy in a large family.
You've got Neville, the shy backward boy. You've got Fred and George,
classic school pranksters. You've got Lavender and her pack of
giggling schoolgirls. 

If you're writing a book design for children, you want characters in
there that the kids can relate to (same is true for adult books for
that matter). People relate to people they know. At my school, I was
the Luna. My best friend was more like Hermione. And I definitely knew
some Freds and Georges. So they're stereotyped - so what?

-Tammy, who wanted to post a "me too" to bboyminn's post and add that
it's not all that hard to get into the male mind :P