Y Tabloid - Issue 88 - September 15, 2009 - Y-oman.com

(or ‘Telenovellas’ as they are called in Portuguese) with formatsmost frequently following the lives of white, upper and middle-classfamilies. In areas where the soaps are broadcasted, a recent reportsuggests increasing levelsof divorce and lower levelsof fertility amongst theseneighbourhoods.On the other side of theworld, in India, researchto show the effects ofradio drama on societyuncovered a villagewhere ‘Tinka Tinka Sukh’ increased enrolmentto the village’s girls’ school by up to 40 percent. There was also anoticeable reduction in the use of bridal dowries for marriage. The regularviewing of soaps is said to be the equivalent of six-months of schooling,which is of hugeimportance forcountries such asBrazil and Indiawhere many ofthe poor only haveaccess to primaryschooling. Thereis certainly ane d u c a t i o n a lelement to mostsoaps. With theability to adaptpressing socialissues, suchas HIV awareness, abuse or drug use into storylines, soaps offerfamilies and social groups a chance to discuss subjects often taboo.Their storylines can also give insight into the personal tribulations ofothers, whether homosexual, victims of disease or socially outcast.The increasing prominence of people of Afro-Caribbean and Asiandescent on television screens helps to dispel minority stereotypes andencourages racial integration.With the rising popularity ofserial drama in Oman, it opensthe question of whether soapscan help wash away any stainsthat still blemish society, witha little help from ‘Mirna’ and‘Khalil’.26