Harry Potter shouldn't be a role model for today's kids

You have no idea what you're talking about, and BTW I don't think you can really talk with your choice of a user name.

Harry Potter may have violence in it, and the later books are darker, but more than anything else it is a story of coming to terms, and friendship, and unlike many Hollywood movies, it's not always warm and fuzzy to be a child. Saying it promotes violent behavior is ridiculous!

I learned lots from reading the books, and I don't walk around waving wands and mumbling  spells, and neither do any of my friends.

i agree with iwillsurvive.

harry potter isnt all about killing each other.why do u think they added funny parts???

To make it fun for kids any age to watch.

ye ok there is small killing poeple parts but there only there to make the movie more of a action packed movie than a comedy.

maybe you could start to actually like harry potter than thinking its the wrong tipe of film for people to watch.

Ouch Mr. Ripper. Seems like you picked the wrong time to be anti-Harry Potter. Lol. But no seriously, Harry Potter does have a different message than most childrens books. It isn't about happy little fairies and happily ever afters, it is about a boy, who has known pain and suffers like the rest of the world. How he manages this pain and comes into his own while still being kind and just (most of the time). It really does have a decent message about friendship and loyalty, I think that is why people all around the world are waiting in anticipation to find out....What happens to Harry Potter!! I hope this sheds some light on why your little bro likes it so much. Maybe he can relate to Harry in some way.

You primary objection concerning this book relates to the violence portrayed, and the themes of death. However, what you fail to take into account is that fact that 'death and violence' as a theme is one of the most comment place themes in the world today. There is no denying it. Even the most innocent of children's tale - the traditional tale of Cinderella (involves child abuse), Jack and the beanstalk, ( both involving murder and cannabolism), Snow-white, (murder arrives on numerous occasions), and the more modern feat of literature works, such as the Chronicles of Narnia, which involves numerous battles, fights and deaths.

 In the works of literature, and film, along with television pro grammes there is no escaping the fact that these are just fundamental elements to stories. If however you are of the opinion that none of the above works are suitable - take a look at any religious text - it includes violence and murder. There is no escaping it. What can however be toned is the context and the strength of said images.  This has been a major point in JKR's work of Harry Potter, and thus their prevailing status as children's novels.

 I have to state however that I don't think you should be concerned about a 13yr old and his delicate mind. If you took a look at what 13yrs olds talk about in the course of their school day then you are in for a shock - they are not only adult in their language and concepts, but use them most ineptly.  I also can not help but notice that you comment of 'seems violent to me' seems to be off hand and with out conviction, ie you would like to start a heated discussion on this forum. 

TONS OF MOVIES HAVE KILLING IN THEM KIDS ARE GOING TO WATCH THEM LIKE IT OR NOT. ya hes 13, and I bet he's looked at worse videos..

I think it's not so much about violence and killing people but about in what context that appear - I think that in Harry potter mindless violence is always associate with evil, and when the good characters retort  to violence and killing it's not only as a last resort, but also, always accompanied by remorse and sorrow.

I just finished reading the last book and I found the massage of it and the whole series to be very unti-violence and very pro-peace, love and solving problems by thinking and talking and not by killing people.

both the most evil acts and the most good acts in the book are not necessary killing but lying, threatening and solving riddles.

I think it's easy to pass judgment without reading the books - give it a shot - they are fun! 

The Harry Potter books weren't designed for children, so they shouldn't be a role model or not a role model for kids in the first place. They were written for the entertainment of teenagers. If the children are mature enough to read on the level of Harry Potter books, they are mature enough for the things you call "violence" in these books. These books contain about as much violence as a barney episode, when compared to today's adult movies. (ex: scarface, texas chainsaw massacre, hills have eyes). So unless you want to get rid of your major amounts of violence, you have no room to talk on how voilent the Harry Potter books are.  

Your question title contradicts your actual question:

a) Children who find a *book* a role model are unusual.

b) Children who find a character in a book are normal.

c) The book is alright for children. Harry Potter, the main character is not some mass murderer. He cares about people and is nice. As long as children are not stupid and see the bad stuff is bad and the good stuff is good then it's ok.

If the child knows there really isn't such thing as magic and mythological creature then it is alright. If they do belive wizards and witches live with us, then they shouldn't read any book and need some psychatrist sessions. Children aren't entirely naive. They have a grasp of what's evil and what is not evil. The book enforce how evil the dark wizards are and how brave, strong, and determined the good wizards are.