wizard family planning

[Renee Daniels]

No: HPFGUIDX 130213


> > Katherine:
> > All that aside, I have always felt that the reproductive issue
> >  plays into my theory about the sociopolitical influence of 
> > British politics in the series.   The Weasley's with their 7 
> > children  are so abhorred by the "right-thinking" Purebloods, 
> > most of whom seem to have 1 or 2 children, extrapolating from 
> > the fact that we only know of 1 Malfoy, 1 Crabbe, 1 Goyle, etc.
>
>
> Chancie:
> 
> Interesting thoughts, so is it your thinking that the WW does have 
> birth control? Weasley's seem to be only family of that size in 
> the story, what do you suppose they use to "plan" families?  
> Spells?  Potions?  Any other Ideas?
>
> It would seem to me, that you probably are right about people in 
> the WW being less likely to have children during a time of such 
> chaos. It's not exactly an environment you would want a helpless 
> child to be part of, or one that would really put you "in the 
> mood". And too perhaps that could help answer JKR's answer to how 
> many student's attend Hogwarts. Maybe Voldy did actually manage to 
> lessen the amount of births in the WW.

Calimora (me):

Given the amount of things in the wizarding world that seem to be 
driven by will or desire, I think the most effective form of birth 
control in the wizarding world is probably not wanting more kids. If 
the Desire and Sacifice of a mother can save her son from death, it 
probably played a part in wether she had a son or not. 

If that's the case then chaos naturaly depresses the birth rate. 
Nobody wants their two year old to have to dodge unforgivables. It 
would also explain why so many Death Eaters have kids Harry's age, 
born at the height of Voldemort's power. In contrast the only 
auror's child we know of in that age group is Neville.

The Malfoys and other un-cuddly purebloods would only go for an Heir 
and a Spare at most, otherwise they'd have to split thier 
fortunes/heritage too much. (Remember Draco's "More children than 
they can afford"?) The largest 'right thinking' pureblood family 
mentioned are Sirius' cousins Bellarix, Narcissa, and Andromeada. 
All of witch are female, leading me to wonder things about wizarding 
inheratance laws. While freindly personable folk like the Weasleys 
can feild their own Quidditch teams if they choose. 


I wonder about infertility inthe wizarding populace. Has there been 
any mention of an married couple without children? (Flamel's don't 
count.)


Lea Said:

> According to the Lexicon, there is nothing remotely resembling a
> maternity ward at St. Mungo's.

> Who took Tom Riddle to the orphanage? I was under the impression it
> was his mother (or parents), but maybe I've just read too much
> fanfiction.

Calimora:

Given the lack of a maternity ward, I'm inclined to believe that 
Tom's mum probably gave birth under the care of muggle physicians or 
midwife, and they were the ones who saw to the child's placement. 
Afterall, she had been living in the muggle world enough to meet Tom 
Sr.

~Calimora (v-e-r-y sleepy)