Why do people think that everyone who likes Harry Potter and other fantasy-themed books is immature?

Question

Just for the record, I think HP is not targeted at a certain group age and it can be enjoyed by everyone with equal interest.

Answer 1

im 26 and anxiously anticipating the last book. the ppl calling you immature probably havn't opened a book at all in yrs. while im at it another great series is stephen kings dark tower series.

Answer 2

I was a lit major and have read every great piece of literature
available in English and I think Harry Potter is the best of
all of them. That the characters are young might be the
reason some people haven't read it yet, but what about
Romeo and Juliette? Oliver Twist? And a million more.
Harry Potter has united a world where diplomats couldn't
even make a dent. This doesn't happen unless the writing
and the connections to humanity that J.K. Rowling has
presented in her brilliant novels is on the highest plane
of universal understanding. The fantasy in the books is
all analogous to real life and anyone with a modicum of
vision can understand this. In my entire circle of friends,
including business people, attorneys, artists, I have yet
to meet anyone who didn't just love it. They're all over
40 and two of us always wear Hermoine's time turner.
I say the naysayers ought to get a plate of Oreos and
a flashlight, get under the covers and start with Book 1.
I'll bet they get converted by Chapter two. If that's immaturity
let me at it.

Answer 3

Using your imagination is thought to be the realm of children. They make believe all the time - pretending to be teachers, doctors, moms, etc. As adults, we're expected to be more realistic and put aside "childish" thoughts. And we do that. However, I think it is just as relaxing as a vacation to delve into a fantasy world (like HP) and become someone else for a while. A little imagination as an adult can help keep us sane and give us a great perspective on life. For example, Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles is a wonderfully crafted treatise on Western Civilization's exploitation of the land and its people.
I think it's more immature to generally discriminate by saying HP readers should all be children, than to read a fantastical book and expand your mind.

Answer 4

Generally I think it's because HP is fresh and creative and people label that as childish. If you look at dictionary.com's top definitions of fantasy, they are:

1. imagination, esp. when extravagant and unrestrained.
2. the forming of mental images, esp. wondrous or strange fancies; imaginative conceptualizing.
3. a mental image, esp. when unreal or fantastic; vision: a nightmare fantasy.
4. Psychology. an imagined or conjured up sequence fulfilling a psychological need; daydream.

Those are attributes people historically have assigned to children because children play and imagine, etc... Those people ignore that there's mature fantasy as well.

In terms of HP specifically, it doesn't help that the first 2 books at least were very definitely childrens' books. They were readable by anyone but they were young adult. The serious became more mature as HP matured, but the people who consider HP immature generally are unaware of that and haven't read the latter ones or consider fantasy childish.

Answer 5

People who believe that fantasy-themed books are something for children and immature people essentially have a problem with imagination. It's ok. to them if kids have imagination, because that's normal in a child. But the moment when a person refuses to leave imagination in primary school, they think this person refuses to "face reality and face life". That's why they think that an adult (or older teenager) who is reading a fantasy themed book forgot, that he isn't in primary school any more. It's usually the same type of people who forgets that they were ever young and begin to complain about how bad the youth of today is. It boils down to one fact: they are people who are exactly like Vernon and Petunia.

Answer 6

Probably because they have an inability to be creative or appreciate those who have active imaginations! They work their five day, 40 hour work weeks and eat the same things they did as children and have no need for more. That's fine for them; as for me, I need more out of life. Don't you all agree that it takes a superlative mind to develop such an elaborate and fantastic world like the HP books? How in the world can good v. evil, life and death struggle and the search for one's own power be immature? I am in my early thirties and was introduced to the HP books five years ago by my (at the time) 7 year old nephew and I cannot thank him enough for opening my eyes to such incredible works of fiction. Plus, don't they say that when someone points a finger at you, there are four others pointed back?

Answer 7

My friend up there is right. They are more muggle than possibly the Dursleys. I love HP. The only people that ever tell me I'm immature for reading it are children my age, acting too immature for their age! I am 13 and I can't stand it when these kids act way too mature. I'm not saying I'm immature. These people calling us immature just don't know a good novel when they see one- in fact they are most of the world's population that hate to read. The only reason they think it's not mature is because they just think it's boring and would rather spend their time on AIM or watching TV.

Answer 8

I think your right HP is for all readers.
I'm in my 40's and still enjoy HP
People who get caught up in HP and other "fantasy themed" books are usually creative thinkers and can really immerse themselves in the story as they read it. With the ability to visualize the descriptive...
You have to remember not everyone has this ability so when they read they aren't able to appreciate the full effect.
and
some people are basically just insecure and need to find "something" anything, to act all uppity about.( it makes them feel "superior" lol)
Let them have their crumbs
and enjoy a good fantasy read when you can ;)

Answer 9

I have an explanation, like it or hate it, like me or hate me. Fantasy and most Science Fiction will always be thought of as being read by people who feel that the world they live in is inadequate. It is thought, unconsiously, that people who really get into things involving worlds which don't exist are trying to take refuge from real life. People think that maybe everyone who reads Harry Potter reads it because they wish they had magical powers, or that a world of dragons or space travel would be fundamentally better than our own. And I know some people for whom that is true. They are unhappy with their place in the world, and think that the world will never provide them with satisfaction, so they (actually, just two people I know) walk around town wearing Jedi capes. And I, rightfully, make fun of them for this. I also make fun of her for being obsessed with anime and manga- why is a cartoon better just because it's Japanese? But there is a stereotype of people who get really into Harry Potter type books as being unsatisfied with the real world. I didn't like Harry Potter, myself. I have only liked a very few fantasy type books. But I know that not everyone who reads those books is like my sister.

And for those of you idiots out there, yes I can make fun of her and her friends. She's my little sister.

Answer 10

I dont understand why people think of Harry Potter is immature. Anyone can love the Harry Potter books, they are totally perfect for all ages. I can't wait for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

Answer 11

Why does any book have to be labeled as just for kids. Some of my favorite books to read are labeled Children or Young Adult, and I haven't fit into either of those categories for years!

As with anything else, as long as you aren't harming anyone else, you need to read and do the things that bring you pleasure - and ignore those that think to label us because they do not understand us.

I know I will be in line at midnight waiting for my copy of the next HP!