Snape's abuse (Re: Would an "O" for Harry vindicate Snape?)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 131576

>>Betsy Hp:
> Okay, I'll bite.  But first I have to ask, what abusive methods?<<
> <snip>

>>John K:
> <snip of classic Snape snarks>
> Perhaps when you wonder about abusive methods you are thinking of 
> physical abuse, which of course Snape does not use.  However, 
> psychological and emotional abuse is just as serious. 
> <snip>
> He really is a horrible person who has no business being around 
> children.  I suppose Dumbledore has his reasons.<<

Betsy Hp:
Snape does have the market on cruel wit.  I do agree with that.  I 
think where the disagreements come in are on the degree of harm we 
think those verbal attacks and threats do to the children in his 
classroom.

I happen to think that Snape doesn't really harm the kids all that 
much.  And I think he does a good job teaching them potions.  I'm not 
a parent, but I'll try to imagine how I'd react if I was Hermione's 
or Harry's or Neville's mom.

Hermione is easy.  I'd do nothing.  She's doing a great job in 
potions, and while the remark about her teeth was unkind, Snape 
didn't stop her from getting help.  And Hermione *does* have a bad 
habit of answering questions without being called on.  Plus, Hermione 
seems like the kind of girl who's usually *loved* by adults around 
her.  It's good practice for her to deal with a demanding and not 
very easily pleased teacher.  I'd probably make sure she wasn't 
internalizing any of Snape's snarks, but frankly, I don't think she 
is.

With Harry I'll ignore the personal aspect (the enmity between his 
father and Snape is it's own special thing).  Again, I don't think 
I'd complain to the Headmaster about Snape.  Harry hates Snape, and 
dislikes potions, but it doesn't seem to affect the rest of his life. 
(Harry doesn't *dwell* on Snape -- he doesn't have nightmares, etc.)  
I'd probably have a similar talk with Harry that my dad had with me 
when I complained about mean and unfair teachers.  The whole, there 
are mean and unfair people in the world and it's best to learn how to 
deal with them, chat.  Other than the one time Harry's potion fell 
(or was dropped) Snape has graded Harry fairly, plus he's saved his 
life a couple of times.  So all in all, I don't see anything I as a 
parent would need to go to the school about.

Neville is harder.  There appears to be some sort of learning 
disability going on.  And it's not just in potions.  IIRC, Neville 
struggles in all of his classes except for Herbology.  As a parent I 
think his fuzzy memory and lack of concentration *would* worry me, 
and I feel like I'd want to consult with all of his teachers -- get 
their suggestions, etc.  Then there's the fact that Neville is so 
scared of Snape.  Would I talk to Snape and/or Dumbledore about 
this?  Would I talk to Neville?  I know I'd do *something*, but I 
don't think it would involve storming into the school and throwing 
down with Snape.  (But my folks are Canadian, so there's this huge 
pressure to keep things "civilized". <g>)  

Does Neville even *tell* his grandmother about his problems with 
Snape?  Is she aware of his scholastic difficulties? Weirdly enough I 
think Neville's grandmother would *approve* of Snape's methods.  
After all, his family tried to scare some magic out of him, so I can 
see them agreeing that trying to scare some learning into him is an 
acceptable teaching practice.  If I was Neville's mom I don't think 
I'd be satisfied with that, but I don't think I'd be calling for 
Snape's head.  I *would* probably call for a parent/teacher meeting.  
(Which doesn't seem to be something done in the WW.)

Betsy Hp