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Bloody Terrifying – Duchess of Cornwall’s Disapproval of “Video Phone” & Modern Music Videos

Saturday Nov 28, 2009 – By Sky Obercam

videophone Side piece-turned Duchess, Prince Charles wifey Camilla had a number of things to say during her recent visit with women at a UK a rape crisis center, but it was her views on Beyonce & modern music videos that made it to the headlines:

“She told an audience of women that children thought they could get away with things because teachers failed to punish them.

Referring to the images children are exposed to, the Duchess said: ‘A lot of those videos are terrifying.

‘I am sure they trigger a response in some of the young people. I can never understand how they can get away with making those things.’

Yesterday the Duchess made clear her concern that youngsters are already becoming immune to such images of sex and violence.

She said schools needed to become involved in teaching both male and female schoolchildren ‘the value of respect for each other’.

During the discussions, the subject turned to a controversial video by pop singer Beyonce, who is particularly popular with young girls.

In the promotion for the single Video Phone, which also features the outlandish singer Lady Gaga, Beyonce provocatively dances in a series of increasingly skimpy outfits and holds a toy gun to the head of a bare-chested man who is hooded.”

According to Daily Mail, it’s videos like these that are far too explicit:

‘It has happened too quickly, values have changed so much,’ the Duchess said. ‘I suppose it’s peer pressure, that’s the problem. You don’t want to look the odd one out.

‘But it takes a strong person to show that they don’t approve, especially at that age. It’s a breakdown of discipline. There doesn’t seem to be any punishment for such behavior. The teachers are too kind.’”

Camilla’s concerns are hardly uncommon, as many have become alarmed by the increase in over-sexualized content and imagery disseminated by contemporary media. That new Women’s Seminole B-Ball team website debacle even touches on this latest cultural shift.

Beyonce, or Lady Gaga for that matter aren’t the villains here. The truth is that if they weren’t traipsing about like strippers with fake guns on some ole Guantanamo Bay sex slave ish in these videos, someone surely else would. It’s the “teachers” who are charged with the responsibility for monitoring what young people hear and see, as well as instilling critical thinking skills so they can better process this escalating bombardment. It is ironic however, Camilla expressing outrage over immoral behavior given her tawdry history, but no one’s perfect, right? We’re all entitled to our opinions.

What’s yours?

hope says:

November 28, 2009 at 1:52 pm

I see where Camilla is coming from as far as music videos and society itself being immoral. Our culture is a sex drenched society. Everything on t.v to the private conversations people have with one another have at least some sexual relevance or joke in it. For such a long time our culture/ society has been compromised ethical values and actions. Our culture cannot blame anyone else except ourselves. Now, it has come to the point where societies prevertiveness and overrated sexual images are bestowed upon our young children. If you analyze this generation and the past.. their actions are only getting worse.
However, i don’t know why Camilla only referred to Beyonces video.. (maybe it just popped in her mind at the time) but i do see where she’s coming from on this music video. Out of all the videos i can recall seeing Beyonce’s videos.. i must say that in my opinion ( no offense to beyonce fans) that this is one of the most provactive music videos she’s ever done and the sexual images are heavily shown throughout the video. Videos like this (and others) only encourage children and teens to do these things.

↑ Reply

hope says:

November 28, 2009 at 1:54 pm

one more thing: I hope in the future that our society gets better.. and that children and teens (also adults) will see that although “sex sells”, there is more to life and other things can make us happy than just being involved in sexual actions.

Ashley says:

November 28, 2009 at 3:53 pm

People need to get over this “The media is ruining our children” crap. Sexual images aren’t the problem, parents need to be responsible for what children watch and do. If my parents thought that I couldn’t handle watching or listening to something they put a stop to it. Society shouldn’t have to watch your child. As far as society goes, nothing has really changed. There has always been violence and sex, people just aren’t hiding it anymore. Sex and violence are a part of reality and we need to deal with it. We just need to be responsible for ourselves.

Dot says:

November 28, 2009 at 5:56 pm

Typical response. Our societies are so detached that nobody wants to take responsibility for the people who are supposed to replace us in the end. “Let them take care of ourselves”. They’re are children. They don’t know any better and as a society, it IS our responsibility whether we like it or not.

While I do agree that parents have to do some parenting, a parent isn’t always going to be there when is child is exposed to a racy ad. Our parents aren’t always going to be there when someone saying a sexist or overly racy joke. To expect a parent to ALWAYS be there is completely insane.

Camilla is completely right. We have all been conditioned to sexual images and violence and it is a problem. Because it starts as Beyonce not wearing any pants and holding up toy guns (which doesn’t seem to bother anybody) and then it gets worse.

Bestiality anyone?
a/n says:

November 28, 2009 at 8:15 pm

well said dot!
Ashley says:

November 28, 2009 at 8:32 pm

The response may be typical but its real. People need to use their brains for once. Just because someone sees a racy ad doesn’t mean they jump up and have sex. People need to take responsibility for their own issues. If you want to have sex YOU wanted to have sex. Don’t blame it on Beyonce. I never said that parents have to always be there, but parents do have to teach their children right from wrong and the values they need to make it out here. Parents need to explain to their children why they can’t watch a particular show and not just turn it off. I watched music videos and I didn’t want to bang the first person I saw because I was thought better.

I have a child and I take care of her. It is not my job to raise any other child than my own. People’s problem is that they rely on everybody else to do the things they should be doing. For someone to throw their child in front of a TV all day is sad. If you do this don’t blame what they do on what they were watching. People need to stop being lazy and blaming the media for their failures.
Dot says:

November 28, 2009 at 8:51 pm

The media wouldn’t reproduce these images if we as a society didn’t tolerate these images. Its a vicious cycle. We simply assume that since “we” don’t do these things, that everything should be fine. The media is a mirror of our society, remember that.

Granted, you don’t leave your child in front of a T.V. That’s very commendable. The problem is, someone else is and some people out there are impressionable.

If you walk down the street and (God forbid, I wouldn’t wish this on you, trust me) someone raped you, you can’t simply blame the individual even though he is ABSOLUTELY in the wrong. Somewhere along the line, the individual was conditioned to do this act, whether it would be through television, family, or the increase of violence. So who are you going to blame? I would blame society first and foremost but expect that the knucklehead would be sent to jail first.

I blame society because: 1) We did nothing for that individual because we deemed that we weren’t responsible for his well being. 2) We conditioned him to do this because of several factors (albeit the media which tends to fuel these actions).

Remember, the media is a mirror of society. It would only produce what society allows it to produce. In Middle Eastern countries, the media content is not the same and there’s no argument against that.

All I’m saying is, somewhere along the line, we’ve gotta put a cap to what we deem as acceptable in the media. Shoot, I listen to some of these songs and rationalize my actions but someone out there isn’t and whether you like it or not, it does affect you.
Kelly says:

December 3, 2009 at 12:58 am

Ashley, I would like to say that it’s only parents but I believe that when it comes to shaping the behavior of children…we all play a role. I am a teacher in the CPS system. I try to show videos that will enhance my students learning as well as develop skills that require them to think about their actions and choices they make in life. Many of my children have troubled a troubled homelife and therefore, I become a surrogate parent. Yes, it does come with the territory and I understood that when I took an oath to be the best teacher I could. Yes, these videos are too much for our kids eyes. They are becoming immune to sex, violence and respect. We see more and more disrespect and violence in our school than ever before. I try to implement discussions, videos of our past history, speakers but yet, many of my children still want to chase the dream of what they see on television. After a while, it becomes perpetual ignorance.

November 28, 2009 at 9:48 pm

It is a vicious cycle. I just feel that it starts at home. When nobody wants to be responsible for what goes on in their homes this is what happens. At some point somebody is always going to be impressionable and stupid enough to do what they see or what someone tells them. Even without TV that is still going to be a problem. Just like you said, media content in the Middle East isn’t the same but the people there are no better than we are. They steal, kill, rape, and everything else. What is their problem?

I actually did a research paper on this and most of the people who are severely affected by the media are already doomed in the beginning. Watching a violent TV show isn’t going to make me shot someone unless it is already in me (especially in older children). I do agree that some of the things in the media shouldn’t be there. However if its not the media its peer pressure or issues within the home. The only way I feel we can break that cycle is by starting small and teaching the next generation certain things are not good. We can’t just stop the media as a whole. Its more than just what is on TV.

Tina says:

November 29, 2009 at 12:36 am

The one thing I don’t think people realize is that sex alone is not bad. It’s a natural process that in the end, gives rise to the entire human race. The power that we place on it is nothing but the makings of our own society.

Jenny says:

November 29, 2009 at 1:40 am

There are actual studies that show teenagers who are exposed to more sex and violent acts in the media are more prone to engage in those manners themselves. The media does have influences on kids.

And no, Baby Boy was the most provocative video Beyonce has ever done. She was practically having sex with herself in some scenes. Still though. There are more people who are worst than Beyonce, so it’s confusing as to why she singled out Beyonce? What about MILEY CYRUS? The girl post semi-nude photos of herself on myspace and she’s only 16. Doesn’t she have more influences on kids her age than Beyonce, who happens to be a grown woman?

Whatever! Lol.

Clnmike says:

November 29, 2009 at 3:09 am

The Duchess her past be damned is right, the ultimate responibility is with the parents and to a lesser extent teachers. The “artists” are not responsible for policing their material once it leave their hands. How ever the problem is that sexual imagery is EVERYWHERE, it’s too accessible for kids and they can’t be watsh 24/7. You would alomst have to advocate censorship to really beat the problem.

artofkawaii says:

November 29, 2009 at 8:02 am

there is a GLARING void here: nowhere in this whole piece did the word “PARENTS” come up… there is something fundamentally wrong with that. 2. Its not everywhere/culture in the world that “skimpy”= sex… though I will admit that music videos are very sexually suggestive… but at the same time people must understand, that especially in the case of black culture and by extension black entertainers, suggestive dancing is part of the culture and expression- go to any African/carribean country (its all in the hips) lol… but I guess mixed with western culture and lexicon (sex/sensuality as commodity), meaning changes. at the same time though the same culture (western) tends to be very conservative, exacting and inhibited…its confusing

so what to do with the kids and the barrages of images adressed to them daily? PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY….stop letting the TV raise your child… be there to counter and unpack the messages for them

MJC says:

November 29, 2009 at 4:09 pm

It seems like teacher=teachers whereas “teachers”=parents/guardians, etc. That’s how I interpreted the use of the word in quotes at least.

Rhue b says:

November 29, 2009 at 9:46 pm

i totally understand what she is saying and it is sad…. I don’t think it will ever change either….

Alicia says:

December 1, 2009 at 4:17 pm

Well, if Vanity can become an evangelist, I’m sure Camilla can move past her less than squeaky-clean history to show concern for the kids.

I haven’t seen the video, but I’m sure it’s “out there.” The videos these days are disgusting.

Als Simmons says:

December 1, 2009 at 8:11 pm

I agree with the Duchess!

Am I getting old? The music videos have become pretty disturbing… over-sexed, occult-forcussed etc… Parents really need to check what their kids are watching these days.. you can’t even trust Disney!

December 3, 2009 at 2:38 am

Now you guys went and made me do my own post about Video Phone…LOL

Happiness says:

December 4, 2009 at 10:46 am

“The teachers are too kind”?

What has this got to do with teachers? Teachers are supposed to teach. Their job is not to police what children watch on TV, that is the parents’ job, excuse me Camilla/Duchess.

Besides, all the power has literally been taken away from the teachers. Discipline and values have flown out of the window a long time ago. If the teachers so much as shout too loud, they could be faced with court action of child abuse accusations. Teachers are too kind indeed. What a joke!

Even our very own politicians are lining their own pockets with taxpayers cash. Morals, ethics? Laughable.

In the meantime, I never hear Beyonce (hypocrite), professing about her Christain values anymore, strutting arounf half naked all day, everyday.

Of course it’s ok for the Royals to sit back nad critique, after all, they don’t live in the real world, so how would they know about issues affecting real people. All this coming from a woman who had an eye on someone else’s man too. *yawn*

kboug says:

December 20, 2009 at 12:13 pm

She is wrong! absolutely wrong.

Beyonce is a performing artist who is doing her thang! And i love that video phone video..it is hot and sexy..its not porn! Which is where most kids and teenagers are getting immune to sexual images..not Beyonce videos!

Futhermore PARENTS teach their kids how to respect one another. Teachers enforce this. thats it. If she is going to come up in here and start critiquing everything she should go back to where she came from. lol ..im just sayin!