Maturity

Response to NYTimes article on negative affects of scenes with alcohol in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Movie:

While, you make a great point that alcohol does have a large presence in this movie you miss part of the point. This movie and the book series is not aimed at children. It is a coming of age novel at its best, its a coming of age series. It is possible that this movie, and the next two of the seventh book are not appropriate for children. The books, like life itself, become dark and scary as they progress through the series. Although, there is much to learn from the trials and difficulties the characters face. Arguing that your son should not have seen that is probable true because while the movie is PG, its not directed at his age group.

The books are written about another culture with different customs and laws. While, I do not think that teenagers should over consume, I do not think it should be hidden from our society. Exposed targeted viewers of the movie could learn something from the ideas of alcohol in the film. Its not something to lose your problems in but its not something that you can use lightly.

Many people seem to think that Harry Potter is aimed at children - its not. Its for growing with age and learning to understand yourself and your true identity - something that should be learned through maturity - not in a brief time.