The difference is that there seems to be no overall pattern of wizards being stronger magically than witches, the way there's an overall pattern of men being stronger physically than women. People with stronger magic can violate people with weaker magic, but it's not a matter of most men being capable of dominating most women, so it doesn't contribute to and support the dominance of males in society as a whole. I've always been small and fragile, so I'm very much aware of this issue.
There does seem to be a pattern of people with stronger magic dominating society and being looked up to as leaders, even when strong magic itself is not needed for the specific position. Why should the Minister for Magic or the Headmaster of Hogwarts need to be able to cast especially strong spells? Those are administrative posts. One doesn't expect the Prime Minister of Britain to be able to beat up everyone he meets.
Regarding love potions: if JKR showed teenage wizards plotting to use love potions, it would be all too obvious that they are in fact rape drugs, which is not something you want in a kids' book. I don't think it's any better to have girls in a kids' book using rape drugs, but it tends to fly under the radar. JKR is not the only one to find the use of force by women on men to be humorous. Others have discussed this issue here of DTCL and have done an excellent job, so I won't continue, except to say it's ugly.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2014-06-14 09:43 pm (UTC)There does seem to be a pattern of people with stronger magic dominating society and being looked up to as leaders, even when strong magic itself is not needed for the specific position. Why should the Minister for Magic or the Headmaster of Hogwarts need to be able to cast especially strong spells? Those are administrative posts. One doesn't expect the Prime Minister of Britain to be able to beat up everyone he meets.
Regarding love potions: if JKR showed teenage wizards plotting to use love potions, it would be all too obvious that they are in fact rape drugs, which is not something you want in a kids' book. I don't think it's any better to have girls in a kids' book using rape drugs, but it tends to fly under the radar. JKR is not the only one to find the use of force by women on men to be humorous. Others have discussed this issue here of DTCL and have done an excellent job, so I won't continue, except to say it's ugly.