Dudley. Was Re: Are we abusing the concept of "abuse?"

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 124742


Irene wrote:
"Why people are so sure that Dudley is doomed? I don't get it. He goes
to a boarding school now, so he only sees his parents during holidays
and maybe weekends. And it seems to be a good school: they forced him
on a diet, and they found an area of competence (boxing) and encourage
him to excell in it. I think he'll turn out to be quite an average
person."

Del replies:
Dudley is a bully and a vandal. Remember that he spent his whole OoP
summer evenings with his gang "vandalising the play park, smoking on
street corners and throwing stones at passing cars and children". He
also ganged up on a 10-year-old kid. Those are not the actions of a
normal kid. Dudley is very much on the path to delinquency. He might
not be doomed, but he is in dire need of some strong counseling.

Del