Harry, Ginny, and age appropriateness

[sienna291973]

No: HPFGUIDX 136012

Marianna:
Other H/G "shippers" and I have already posted evidence from HBP that 
show our satisfaction with Harry and Ginny's relationship. Many have 
said that they prefer not to have every detail of their private time 
together, and actions such as the way Ginny's look shows complete 
understanding and acceptance, the way she can communicate with Harry
by touch, and the intimacy that they share right in front of Ron 
(leaning on Harry's leg, kissing him good night), all show a good 
deal of maturity and age appropriate behavior for a relationship that 
has futur3e potential.

Now me:
Marianna, you raise some good points regarding the different ways in 
which adults and children respond to the text. However, much of the 
problem I have with H/G is for precisely this reason.

Children's literature, while useful in feeding young imaginations, 
also has a socialising role to play. It's an aspect of the genre that 
is difficult to come to terms with (as it suggests subtly 
manipulative subtext), but it is an utterly important one to 
acknowledge.

Within this context, the potrayal of relationships between boys and 
girls, and men and women, in the text comes with awesome 
responsibility.

Elizabeth Helmann (www.about.com), argues that potrayal of romance in 
books matters because:

"...adolescent girls read in a realist manner, texts represent a 
dangerous seduction. Girls tend to read romance texts as preparation 
for the romances they foresee as part of their immediate future."

I dare suggest this applies equally (if not more) strongly to pre-
adolescent girls. Whether you decide that the H/G subplot is full of 
positive messages or, like me, potentially dangerous ones, it is 
still an issue that warrants careful discussion. (Thus my very 
serious problem with the Ginny versus Hermione characterisations in 
HBP).

I know it veers slightly off the topic you have started here, but I 
think that ultimately it is not about whether Rowling showed them 
snogging away or not. It is about how she set up the dynamics of the 
relationships between them and I think she has a greater 
responsibility there than she accepts.

I also think that adult fans are better placed to provide a critique 
of this aspect of the canon exactly because we are *not* children.

Sienna