Constant Theme - Romance and Intimate Relationships

By: Laura Onofrio

Romance has always been and always will be a central theme of the soap opera. Sexuality and sexual relationships fuel soap operas and love is the emotion that drives many of the characters to behave the way they do. To demonstrate how soap operas evolved with societal changes look at the depiction of marriage within soap operas. On the radio daytime dramas placed a significant amount of emphasis on marriage and the family. On radio soaps the goal of romance was marriage not sex. The decades when radio soap operas were popular were years when the nuclear family was the norm and divorce was unheard of. As divorce became more acceptable and new family forms developed the relationship of romance leading to marriage eroded and was replaced with an increased emphasis on intimacy and sex. The great love stories of soap operas are remembered and cherished by audience members who will never forget the emotions surrounding the theme of romance.

Intimate relationships are central in the soaps; however, sexual acts are never shown on television and were only imaginable on radio as sexual acts are only suggested within this genre. Radio soaps did not incorporate sexual acts and sexuality with the intensity which television soaps do today. This is largely a reflection of the social conditions within which the soaps are situated. Radio soaps were popular at a time when divorce was unheard of, sex before and outside of marriage was taboo and virginity was valued. "Hence, the tone of radio soap operas was puritanical as sex was de-emphasized on radio daytime serial dramas (Edmondson & Rounds: 1973:73)." The transfer of soaps from radio to television also included the transfer of traditional beliefs toward sex. Gone were the pure and virginal women who were replaced with the seductive and sexy women of television soaps and adultery and premarital sex were common acts on television. Daytime serials place significant importance on interpersonal relationships and personal problems. The theme of romance has always been a central force of the genre that has remained a constant element in the genre throughout its evolution.