TO:

RE: HW 3 sociology

DATE: December 28,2012

FROM:

We use stereotypes to symbolize different people and situations. Some of the stereotypes used in the Harry Potter Deathly Hollows include, the good girl, the sexual object, the mother figure and the stern woman of power.
In Harry Potter the Deathly Hollows females are as equals as males. Both boys and girls in the wizarding world have the same opportunity to learn and become powerful witches and wizards. They can enter the same jobs after graduation and magic is not limited to males or females, but all those who have the power and choose to learn how to use it.
While males and females are approached in different ways, both have their strengths and weaknesses and may approach situations in different ways.
The mothers, Harry Potter’s mother dies young, the sacrifice she made protects him from the evil Lord Voldemort. Even though his mother is no linger alive, Harry can find her protection and strength with in himself.
Mrs. Weasley also becomes a mother to Harry and treats him as one of her own. She wishes to protect him form any harm. She tries to delay their departure from the burrow to keep him safe.
As many mother’s Mrs. Weasley wants to keep her children safe and watch them grow to strong adults.
The woman of Harry Potter are shown as strong and able to take initiative to handle tough situations. They are shown as someone who should be protected and allow the men to fight dangerous battles, they are also shown as sexual objects to lust after, or a force to join and rise against adversity with.
Throughout Harry Potter women are the protectors, fighters, and leaders.
This shows girls there’s more to being a girl than sexual appeal, they can be strong and support those around them. As mothers they can be strong and an important part of adolescents lives, they desire to protect their children, sometimes risking their won lives in the process.
Yes, Harry Potter is Children’s literature turned into movies, and adults have definitely found enlightenment in this fantasy world, but the target audience has always been children. That being said adults and children use the information gathered form media to form ideas on the world.
Whether you are a child, or child at heart you will be drawn to Harry Potter because it touches on situations and feelings one can relate to. One can escape the reality of their world where there are fewer problems and life may seem easier.
The female women of Harry Potter are student, mother, sister, or friend.
On the sexual side Hermione has laughter, she is helpful and capable, she is emotional, expressive and clever. She may not fight the same ways as the males, but her other characteristics make her a strong and powerful female. She is intelligent and logical, giving her strength in different forms.
Hermione may not be physically aggressive as her male counterparts, but she uses her logic to show her strength.
Much of Hermione’s strength lies in her ability to learn. She manages to put her learning into practice this enables her to help Harry and Ron who consistently find themselves in trouble.
This helps reinforce mainstream gender roles because there is equality between men and women. The men and women are not being treated differently based on their gender.
It may subvert them in some cultures where men and women are not treated as equals.
This movie is a positive role model for mothers. It shows any mother can care for her children, run a household and be in control of a situation.
Girls and young woman can look at Harry Potter and see models of women who are able to stand up and fight for what they believe in.
They can see adversity can be conquered through hard work and determination. They can be intelligent and use knowledge to find solutions, and know there’s more to being a girl than sex appeal, they can be strong woman and support those around them.
Women of all cultures would understand that motherhood is universal. Every mother loves and cares for their child and wants to protect them and wants their child to grow and be respectful and successful.
Some cultures especially that of Iran would not understand the roles of sex in gender in America because they are not treated to equals as men, they are not allowed to show strength and power, and that they can be leaders.
I do feel this is accurate representation of gender because though we live in a society where males seem to hold the high powerful jobs it does not mean women cannot hold the same job. We are strong and can stand up for what we believe in. whether male or female we should be treated as equals.