Assessing the Influence of Soap Operas on Teenager’s Social Behaviour a Study of Selected Teenage Students in Ledzokuku Municipality

Abstract

The study sought to gather empirical evidence about the influence television soap operas have on teenagers’ social behaviour. The study employed the mixed method research design and used survey questionnaire and in-depth interviews to gather relevant data. 200 respondents (teenagers) in the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region were surveyed and 10 respondents were randomly picked from the sample size for the in-depth interviews. The multistage sampling technique was used in the study. The results of the study showed that teenagers spent about 2 hours in a day watching soap operas. Most of the teenagers preferred Indian base Opera/Telenovelas followed by Mexican and others. Majority of the respondents watched soap operas to learn from the experiences of their favourite characters, for entertainment, and to find something to talk to friends about. The study revealed that soap operas have significant impact on teenagers’ social behaviour, and as such teenagers are likely to copy what they see on such programmes. Detailed analysis of the study revealed that, soap operas influence teenagers’ perception about their body image and type. Majority of the respondents, representing 59.1% indicated that their favourite soap opera character’s body type and personality influenced their perceptions about their body image and character. Most of the respondents found slim and curvy body attractive as opposed to overweight, fat, or plump body. The result finally revealed that soap operas influence teenagers’ aggressive behaviour. The respondents demonstrated a higher likelihood of copying aggressive behaviours from soap operas/telenovelas they have watched. The study also found that, aggressive behaviours such as revenge, was significantly associated with age of the teenagers. The study recommended that parents monitor the television programmes their children watch and develop comprehensive strategies to help reduce the amount of time their children spend watching television or soap operas.