A Study on the impact of English Soap Operas on the Youth of Chennai Dr. Venkatalakshmi K.*, Mathurbhashini R** *Assistant Professor, Department of Media Sciences, Anna University, Chennai, India **Research Student, Department of Media Sciences, Anna University, Anna University, Chennai, India Online published on 5 April, 2016. Abstract Television has been one of the most penetrated mediums in the society. From its introduction television has always featured soap operas. It has been one of the major reasons why this medium reached the masses. Soap operas initially discussed subjects of social interest. It slowly started penetrating into other genres and drama became the most sought after genre. Dramas included subjects like love, family, relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, office issues, etc. These topics have been beaten to death that the audiences are no more interested in such soaps, especially the youth. The age group of 18–25 felt no more attracted to such soap operas. This created a paradigm shift in the viewership. After the advent of internet and the availability of English soap operas online, the youth started watching them. This study has helped in determining that the youth are influenced by these operas. The findings from focus group discussion suggest that there is a certain level of acceptance of their lifestyle and family norms. Apart from that, the survey results show that youth consider our family structure superior than theirs. But they also think their lifestyle and norms cannot be followed unless they are bent in a certain way to suit our culture. On the other hand, it has enhanced the personalities of the youth and has also broadened their perspectives. Yet the situation might go out of hand any moment and it could be an accelerator for cultural deterioration as too much of anything is not good. Top Keywords Television, Soap Opera, Serials, Lifestyle, Culture. Top |