Reflections 2: Will you?

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Will you?

I was in the kitchen having my very weird lunch (dont ask) and reading the first 2 pages of my new Harry Potter book. People started walking in and a conversation began to revolve around the book, JK Rowling, the content of the books, the movies etc. Then it boiled down to whether Harry Potter is devilish and if kids should be allowed to read the books. Some parents expressed strong opinions and said it would be over their dead bodies before their kids would read or watch a Harry Potter movie. Others thought anything that would let a child read over 500 pages of text quietly had to be a good thing.

What do you think?

14 comments:

♥♫♪nyemoni♫♪♥ said...: I think its for at least 15+, but it truly depends on the individual... kids react differently to different situations so I would study my kid before giving her any unsettling material to peruse..I personally started reading rubbish far earlier than I was supposed to...; Tue Jul 24, 06:23:00 AM
LondonBuki said...: A few years back, I remember my Mummy saying that Harry Potter was not good... why? Because her church explained that the book was about witches and wizards and that people were obsessed with the books... As she was saying it, I was reading my Harry Potter... LOL!!!

I don't see anything wrong with the Harry Potter series. Some Enid Blyton books about the Enchanted Forest and the Wishing Chair and Mr Pink Whistle had magic in them too... I read them and I think I turned out ok.

I think from age 10-12, it's okay... My opinion.

If I have kids, I am going to let them read my Harry Potter books but they must return them! :-); Tue Jul 24, 06:45:00 AM
temmy tayo said...: My aunt in the UK will never allow her kids watch or read Harry Potter. She thinks it will turn them into flying witches and wizards. And she is educated o.......; Tue Jul 24, 07:33:00 AM
SET said...: I HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO THE BOOKS OR MOVIES I MAY WHEN I HAVE KIDS,; Tue Jul 24, 07:46:00 AM
Naijadude said...: Well at first, I thought the book is devilish to be read as well. I read a page of it and realised its fiction, doesnt have any effect on one's life at all. What the kids hear/see in real life Nigeria is even more unsettling than what Harry Porter could offer.; Tue Jul 24, 10:33:00 AM
Morountodun said...: I worry about the amount of airplay that Harry Potter has received in Naija Churches. I personally haven't read the books or watched any of the films but certainly remember reading the Narnia books as a child. Isn't it about make believe?

I guess my view is that children need grounding before they are exposed all sorts of influences so I probably wouldn't have a problem with any children of mine reading Hrry Potter one they are like 12...; Tue Jul 24, 01:04:00 PM
Anonymous said...: well i'm a huge harry potter fan, but i actually do believe it might be devlish.
i might let my kids read such a book though, if they were about 13-ish when they did.; Tue Jul 24, 03:43:00 PM
Onada - Fashion and Photography said...: lol...being nigerian opinions about wizardy and witchcraft.....i think its a touchy subject. I dont mind it as long as it does not appear devilish..which harry potter isnt. Its always good triumps over evil...How is the book?; Tue Jul 24, 04:55:00 PM
Uzo said...: The book is going well. I wish i didnt have to work so i can really read this book but....I am soooo excited. Wanting to get to the end but not wanting this to end....; Wed Jul 25, 02:12:00 AM
Anonymous said...: lmao@naijadude's comment.. i dont know jare.. i only read one harry potter for childrens lit class.. watched a movie or two.. actually now that i think of it.. i think they'd have to be of age to watch something like a potter movie cos i was haunted for weeks when i was 9 and watched that movie rats that has wayyy less scary imagery than potter does... im pretty sure i can find em somethin interesting that wont spook em for days and have them picking up my spoons and forks to cast 'magic' spells... lol... i will turn mountain of fire on that one... lmao; Wed Jul 25, 12:44:00 PM
Mamarita said...: I don't know being a parent is quite difficult, its about making choices putting the kids first and all. I've personally never read any of the Harry Potter books, but I've watched all the movies till date and I do want to be a witch/wizard like harry when I grow up. I want to cast magical spells and save my friends from evil wizards and mix potions for good luck...........
Uhm...."Obliviate" :)

Yeah, so before I turn something down, I probably would read it first to make sure there's no "surprises" and worth not and I will explain to my kids that Harry has a broom stick and they don't so if they try to fly they'll die because superman is too old to fly out to save their tiny asses :); Wed Jul 25, 05:09:00 PM
Noni Moss said...: I've had this argument with some people i thought were too educated/enlightened to believe that crap. Harry Potter is devilish? Please! There is a clear demarcation between good and bad and morals jump at you from every corner. And as someone nicely pointed out, there are several worse stories that run rampant in Nigeria - the stories of juju and abikus are the no longer hearsay so please - they should just chill and get a grip.

The book was amazing and I'm sad it ended. Have you finished yet?; Wed Jul 25, 09:45:00 PM
Nneka's World said...: From 13+ i would allow them to read it, please its not devilish, its called fantasy,so 13+ is a good age to explain to the kids the difference between fantasy and real life; Thu Jul 26, 04:58:00 PM
dScR?Be said...: mehn, Harry Potter IS quite devilish though, dt joint gave me nightmares even before I ever watched any of the movies... and I was 19 or 20... those dementors mehn **shudders**
I stopped dealing with Harry Potter after repeated nightmares.
Ages 15+ definately... Enid Blyton and them was playful & ridiculous unfortunately Harry Potter isn't at all...; Thu Jul 26, 11:44:00 PM