14 DAY TRIAL // When it first emerged that Beyonce and Lady Gaga, two of the most hyped pop artists of the moment, while also among the most appreciated by fans and critics alike, had teamed up to record a track together, for which they would also shoot a video, the media immediately went abuzz with anticipation. The video for “Video Phone” was shot and then released to very positive reviews.
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, though, is the only one so far to point to the violent imagery included in it, as the Daily Mail informs, by means of exemplifying how music videos influence youngsters’ perception of right and wrong. Part of a trend that glamorizes violence and behavior that would otherwise be frowned upon, the Beyonce & Gaga comes to show that values have changed and, in doing so, they influence teens and small children in ways we sometimes are not even aware of, she said during a meeting with young victims of abuse.
“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,” the Duchess said, speaking in general about music videos and the distorted values they promote. As the Mail also points out, this is the first time that Camilla makes a stand as regards a potentially controversial public issue, as opposed to Princess Diana, who made quite a reputation for herself for not shying away from speaking on such matters.
For instance, the “Video Phone” video shows the two pop stars yielding plastic weapons, pointing them at the chest of their accompanying male dancers and even posing with them as if with props for glamour shots. It’s precisely this type of imagery that is influencing young people and, the saddest thing is, they can’t even disapprove with such content. They not only can’t do so because of peer pressure, but also due of the fact that they don’t know that they should disapprove because their teachers don’t tell them so, the Duchess believes.
“It has happened too quickly, values have changed so much. 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,” the Duchess of Cornwall further said on the same occasion.