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Beyonce's 2008 hit 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)' spawned a string of video remakes that had everyone from Alvin and the Chipmunks to E*TRADE babies mocking the pop star's dance routine.
A year and a half later, the "Greatest Video of All-Time," according to Kanye West, is still spawning imitations-- this time from the likes of 8- and 9 year-old-girls-- and causing an uproar.
A YouTube video clip, which surfaced on the Net this week, shows five young girls scantily dressed in red tops and shorts gyrating to the chart-topping single during the recent World of Dance competition.
While the girls didn't win the national tournament, dubbed as the largest U.S. urban dance competition, some are questioning whether their parents or Beyonce should be held responsible for the provocative moves.
"The costumes are designed for movement, unrestricted movement, and to show body lines," one parent, Melissa Presch, told 'Good Morning America,' adding that the costumes were "completely normal" and are a staple for dance competitions.
In the past, Bey has been known to stir a bit of controversy surrounding her sexy performance attire and dance routines. Last year, the international superstar's much-publicized Oct. 25 concert in Malaysia was put on ice due to the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party deeming her show inappropriate and immoral for their culture.
A video statement by viewers across America, many of whom say the young dancers are being projected as "prostitutes" and "sex objects," is posted on the video's YouTube page.
"The problem I see is the thrusting and grinding moves," said one commenter. "Those are sexualized moves...on prepubescent girls. That's just inappropriate." While another commenter chimed in, "I'm a very laid back guy, but those outfits are a bit over the line for 8-year-olds."
Regardless of what the world may think, the girls' parents see no wrong doing on their behalf.
"Our best interest is for the kids," said Corey Miller. "Just know that the kids are doing something that they completely love to do. They compete in dance competitions ... in front of family and friends."
Comments: (123)
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By: Frugalosity on 5/14/2010 8:31PM
Single Ladies is the dumbest video of all time. Her best video was Sweet Dreams or Beautiful Nightmare.
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By: lindy on 5/14/2010 11:47PM
NONE of her VIDEOS are good,,,,she is a FAKE got in the business,just showing her a..And continues to do so...We don't like her at all.Why don't you try diggin on someone who is FOR REAL.GOODNIGHT.....Texas via Ohio....ONE.....WU
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By: Juana on 5/17/2010 5:18PM
Put the blame where it belongs.....ON THESE CHILDREN'S PARENTS. P-E-R-I-O-D
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By: Will on 5/17/2010 5:28PM
Ahem....who really gives a rats ass about these lil white girls shaking their asses? huh? This is not Beyonce's fault. It's the fault of the parents. If these kids were black there would be no blaming, for this is what they expect from our children. They don't give a damn about our kids, so I don't give a damn about theirs. They can shake their lil groove thang as long as they want to. I know one thang for sure....it wouldn't be my child
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By: Ethelrine Watts on 5/17/2010 10:16PM
The parents are the ones to blame for even allowing their daughters to preform in this manner in the front of thousands of people at their ages.The sad part in this matter is their parents don't see anything wrong with this type of dancing for such young children. Where do parents draw the line and say know to their children, and become parents every one won't to be famous.
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By: Tara on 5/18/2010 8:08AM
Beyonce is not responsible for the re-creation of her video, which is for entertainment purposes only. She did not advise or instruct these young women on the selection of their music, their attire, or the performance. Their parents were there all the way from the beginning to the unveiling of the final product. They are responsible. There are numerous parents out there of all races who allow their young daughters (kids young as even 2) to listen to adult R&B or hip-hop music. They encourage them at family parties to dance and sing. They laugh and prompt them to do all the dances they see in the videos. (Kids are actually teaching the parents the dance moves.) My children were not watching videos in the fourth or fifth grade. I monitored their exposure to certain elements on TV and introduced them when I deemed them appropriate. Now you may not care for Beyonce (her music, dress or dance style), but that should in no way make you point the finger at her. Parents, there are things out in the world that are not appropriate for children of all ages. As the parent, you must be a filter to all things that your children hear, see, and read. That means putting away your own music, videos, and movies. Watch them out of range from your young children. Parents should not be surprised by the early sexual development of their children when they allow them to view sexually explicit videos or movies or listen to music with a sexual message at a young age. Honestly, how many of you watch rated R movies and your one and 2 year olds are in the theater or sitting in front of the TV? You don’t realize it but their little brain, which is a sponge, is soaking up everything from the time they are born. Serve as your child filter. You are constantly watching them and protecting them from threats outside of the home but most often than not the threat is in your home- TV, music, DVDs, video games and the internet. It’s just like alcohol. As an adult, you are entitled to have a drink if you choose. Our kids are watching us drink and serve alcohol in our homes. They see their music idols drinking alcohol in the music videos or movies. They want to try it and you got an unlocked cabinet full of liquor, tempting them. Think of it this way. If your neighbor failed to secure his swimming pool and your young son or daughter snuck in for a swim and in the process drowned, your neighbor could be held responsible for not securing something that would be an enticement to a child. Do you hold yourself responsible when your children break into your liquor cabinet, gun cabinet, videos (porn), rated R gaming videos or even illegal drugs? There are 7 year olds out there playing Grand Theft Auto. There are inappropriate things out there. Stop allowing outside influences to dictate what your children watch and read. You be the role model and positive force in their life. Even if that means you, have to divorce friends who allow their own children to watch everything.
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By: algie on 5/14/2010 10:24PM
its videos like this that are a reminder of why it should not be a surprise that girls are getting pregnant younger and younger.its really sad
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By: Justifyed on 5/17/2010 9:10AM
Excuse me, have you seen a rock video lately?
Look at Brittney and her sister....didn't her sister JUST have a baby @ 16, and pregnant again.
What about the movie JUNO that glorified teenage pregnancy.
Beyonce is not wearing a two piece. The outfit she has on is more than I have seen in the videos of others. Society is quick to blame the artist, when it is OBVIOUS that it's the parents responsibility.
These parents pimped their kids...
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By: Janet Leland on 5/17/2010 3:17PM
Girls don't get pregnant because they watch videos. It's because they are allowed to have boyfriends at a young age. Most times their parents are too busy with their own lifes and too selfish to adjust them to accomodate their teenagers. They are also too trusting when it comes the young man in their daughter's world. They should know that boys that age don't plan on getting married, just on having sex. The emphasis should be on education, morals, virtue finances and the future.
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By: EJABRAM on 5/18/2010 6:55PM
Look if you dont like the video sweet heart dont watch it and dont let your kids watch it. Beyonce is a grown woman making music and videos, It has nothing to do with young girls getting pregnant!! Thats somrthing they was going to do anyway because no one in the home taught them anything about absentness
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