Can a music video be child abuse?

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The Dallas Observer’s ongoing music blog “The Problem with…” has target popular artists like Coldplay, Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum. The latest target is Katy Perry’s video “Last Friday Night.” “The Problem” according to the blog is that it’s set in the 1980’s, and evokes too many memories of Steve Urkel, Kimmy Gibler, and features cameos of 80’s stars Debbie Gibson and Corey Feldman.

That’s the problem? This video is about a 13-year-old girl passed out in bed next to a stranger after a party where, according to the lyrics, she was drunk, naked, breaking the law and sexually involved with multiple partners.  And the main instigator in the video is Rebecca Black – who is actually 13 years old in real life. And the conclusion – do it again next Friday.

Every one of Perry’s songs has been suggestive, but this is a new low. Sexualizing young girls and pretending there are no consequences is irresponsible and abusive. That’s the problem with Katy Perry.  I’m John Stonestreet for thepointradio.org..

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Further Reading The Problem With... Katy Perry's ''Last Friday Night'' Shahryar Rizvi | Dallas Observer |June 16, 2011