This whole contoversy thing is ridiculous.... it's a music video, and certainly isn't the most controversial video of all time. What about movies that are rated PG-13 and R with violence? 13 year old kids still get into both of those kinds of movies (even if they aren't old enough). Violence is on TV all the time... all you have to do is turn on any CSI / Law & Order type show and see someone getting shot up or blood, guts & sex. Besides, aren't most music videos only broadcasted through the internet these days? Don't watch BET, so don't know about them.... but I know MTV only plays videos in the early hours of the morning, when kids aren't awake, and VH1 the same. If you don't want your kids watching these kinds of videos, then monitor what they watch on the internet!!!!
On a side note, I remember when t.A.T.u. came out with the video for "All About Us" and Yulia shoots the guy in the head, which imo, was much bloodier and gutsy than Man Down, but had the same rape / abuse / revenge theme. Didn't see everyone getting all excited over that (although there was a censored version), and granted, they weren't that popular at the time of its release... I guess they flew under the radar, but since Rihanna is a mega superstar, I guess people are going to take advantage of every opportunity to chastize her.
People in this world
There are such things as monitoring what your kids watch, IF you are THAT overprotective.