Representation of Genders in Soaps

Women’s Representation:

Within TV soap opera, women are usually identified with the importance of matriarchs (powerful women). Within soaps there are female roles that are not usually found within other genres. In soap operas, some women are usually found as the dominant gender. Also within soaps, the female gender is known to be in charge of businesses. An example of the female gender in charge of businesses would be Eastenders, with Peggy Mitchell being in charge. Females in soaps also are given power throughout their sexuality. An example of females that use their sexuality as power would be Kat Slater from Eastenders. The popularity of this particular character is received because of their ability to manipulate and control the male characters who are usually attracted to them, both sexually and emotionally. In soaps, females are usually rewarded for their independence, however in other genre; they are punished for their actions.

Males Representation:

In soaps, the male genders are sometimes represented as the weaker character, therefore leaving the female gender more dominant. Times were the male gender may be known as the weaker gender is during relationships. Examples of soaps were the males are shown as the weaker gender would be the relationship between Tyrone and Kirsty in Coronation Street. Tyrone is shown as the weaker gender within this relationship as he has recently been attacked by his girlfriend on many different occasions. The story really shows that he is the weaker character of the two, as she also controls him by telling him who he can and can’t see. The male character is also seen as the weaker gender in Eastenders between the relationship of Kat and Alfie Moon. Within the soap, Alfie is known to have a kind personality; however it seems that his partner takes advantage of his personality by having affairs behind his back, which has happened on several occasions, however Alfie still forgives her.