Ben Affleck advises his daughter Violet to be 'realistic' about her fervent opposition to mask bans

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ben Affleck has reportedly advised his daughter, Violet Affleck, that she needs to be "realistic" about her campaigning after the teen was left distraught at the cold response she received from her impassioned speech on mask mandates. 

During a meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the 18-year-old daughter of Ben and Jennifer Garner gave a minute-long speech, calling for an end to all "mask bans" in medical facilities and government buildings. 

She explained that she contracted "a post-viral condition" in 2019, and voiced her preference for masks. 

Ben Affleck's cautionary advice to daughter Violet Affleck

Violet Affleck's impassioned speech, however, did not elicit the desired effect among the members of the governing bodies, which subsequently left the actor's eldest daughter disheartened and she had since been struggling with "ridicule."

A source close to the family recently shared with Daily Mail, "While Ben and Jen will always support their daughter, Ben had a conversation with her and told her that she needs to be realistic with this because he doesn't want her to waste all of her time putting effort into something that probably won't make a difference in the long run."

They continued, "He knows how strongly she feels about this, but now that Violet is an adult, he felt that it was his duty to let her know that she is David fighting Goliath and that most people, unfortunately, do not feel the same way she does about this."

"He was also concerned that Violet felt as if her parent's star power was going to be able to guarantee her the outcome that she wanted which, in this case, it is not," added the insider.

Violet Affleck 'demanded' mask ban in her speech

In her speech given to the members of the governing body, the fresh high school graduate requested the Los Angeles board "to confront the long Covid crisis" by strengthening protections and opposing a ban on masks.

She began her speech, "I demand mask availability, air filtration, and Far-UVC light in government facilitates, including jails and detention centers, and mask mandates in county medical faculties. You must expand the availability of high-quality free tests and treatment, and most importantly the county must oppose mask bans for any reason."

"They do not keep us safer. They make vulnerable members of our community less safe and make everyone less able to participate in Los Angeles together," concluded the actor's daughter. 

However, Violet has been left feeling disheartened after not receiving the desired effect she hoped to have. 

The source shared, "Violet is extremely disheartened and feels that her plea did nothing more than to set her up for further ridicule. She believes that her plea for mask mandates fell on deaf ears because it isn't even being considered."

They noted, "She stopped reading the critique and, while she is proud of her bravery in doing this, she sees no point in pushing the envelope even further. It is clear to her and to those around her that she is pretty much alone on this one."

Another source revealed, "Her parents will continue to support her in any way that they can. She truly believes in everything she puts forth and if others don't, that is a shame. She is trying not to get fully disenfranchised from pursuing things that mean something to her in the future."

In the recent past, Violet has often been seen wearing a mask in public. She famously wore a mask during Michael Rubin’s white party on the Fourth of July in 2023. 

She was wearing a mask when sighted with her mother in Los Angeles in May of this year.

However, recently, she was seen without a mask while enjoying a bike ride with her stepmother, Jennifer Lopez, in the Hamptons. 

Internet sides with Ben Affleck for imparting necessary advice to Violet Affleck

Ben Affleck's realistic lesson to his daughter, Violet Affleck, was applauded by fans, who shared the opinion that it was necessary for her betterment. Some even criticized the teen for her choice of words in her speech. 

One netizen commented, "Another young person still suffering from anxiety following the lockdowns. If you need to wear one for your own health or to protect the health of people you live with or care for that’s fair enough but it doesn’t need to be a rule for everyone."

Someone else added, "I noticed her own parents don't wear them around her. It might be time to get her some help with her fear so it doesn't ruin the rest of her life. Fear is being used to control people, and it's no way to live. Learning the truth about the whole thing would be a great place to start, as her parents don't seem to know either. Safety is not guaranteed in life. Our society used to know that."

"In her speech she said 'I demand' who does she think she is to demand? Because your last name is Affleck doesn’t mean you get to demand anything and Ben was right to tell her so! Facts would have helped but most people know that masks don’t work! If she feels like it makes her safer than more power to her but you don’t get to demand other people feel the same way!" expressed an individual. 

"No fan of Ben Affleck, but I don't think his advice was 'harsh' ...realistic, but not harsh. I think that's what children/teens need these days, some realistic advice and coping skills," observed another fan. 

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