Sex roles and soap operas: What adolescents learn about single motherhood

This study investigated the contribution of daytime television soap operas to the perception of the roles and lifestyle of the single mother. The perceptions of soap opera viewers and nonviewers were compared using 163 junior and senior high students as subjects, 9% of whom were ethnic minorities. In particular, viewers perceive that single mothers have good jobs, are relatively well-educated and do not live in poverty. Further, they perceive that their babies will be as healthy as most babies and that their babies will get love and attention from adult men who are friends of their mothers. To the degree that these perceptions contribute to the gender role socialization of adolescents, we are faced with a problematic situation. Particularly in light of the fact that soap operas are increasingly targeting the adolescent viewer, the image portrayed on soap operas and the impact it appears to have is of great concern.