A study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology has shown that children who have read the Harry Potter books have more positive views on gay people, immigrants and refugees.
Prejudice and injustice and the fight against them are strong themes in the Harry Potter series.
The magical prejudice focuses on mudbloods (wizards from non-wizard parents), house elves and goblins. Kids however, are able to make the leap from fictional to real life discrimination against minorities.
The study examined different age groups from primary school to college, and measured the impact the books had on their views.
The children were given a survey to examine their attitudes to minorities. They were then divided up into two groups to discuss either passages dealing with prejudice, or passages about other themes.
When surveyed again, the kids who had discussed bigotry against magical minorities now had more positive attitudes to real world minorities.
