User:Hodaattia
The Changing Social Norms in the Arab World as Seen through “The Brave and the Beautiful”
Synopsis
Turkish soap operas are changing social norms throughout the Arab world. Controversy is surrounding Muslim majority countries, as women are being portrayed in non-patriarchal roles that are Western orientated. The “Brave and Beautiful” is one such drama that is sharply being criticized for depicting women in an untraditional manner. Star TV in Turkey premiered the drama in the 2017-17 season that stars Tuba Buyukustun and Kivanc Tatlitug. [1] The character Tahsin is portrayed as a wealthy and influential man that is feared, yet admired by all. His wife is unable to get pregnant, filled with jealousy, and decides murder is her only option. Revenge, sexual overtones, and promiscuity are central to the series. Women are characterized as being dependant on their male counterparts and are encouraging sexism. [2]
Outcomes
The negative portrayal of women in Turkish soap operas such as “Brave and Beautiful,” along with sexuality and the use of alcohol, are leading to some Arab countries like Iran to ban them altogether. The Islamic Republic cites these “TV shows have eroded the taboos surrounding divorce and have destabilized the institution of family,” resulting in the country experiencing the fourth highest divorce rate in the world. [3] In 2018, the country of Saudi Arabia also has banned all Turkish soap operas that are being aired on MBC network in an effort to preserve Islamic values. [5] With the widespread capabilities and reach of mass media, Turkish soap operas are reaching 86 different countries. [2] Social norms are now being transmitted to millions of homes, and changing circumstances in many Middle Eastern countries. “Television is a mass medium that has a role in creating images, signs, and myths.” [4] These soap operas are very profitable for the various different production companies with the most viewers for domestic series in Turkey. [4] The soap opera market in Turkey is worth $200 million dollars. [6] These shows are seen everywhere from coffee shops to salons, and watched by both males and females. In many of the regions shows like “Brave and Beautiful” are contributing to an increased rate of divorce, rape, and violence against women. The rise in rates of viewership over the past decade has a direct correlation with the increase in crimes against women and changes in social norms.
Statistics
There is a changing trend throughout the Arab world. Statistics are indicating that Turkish shows like “Brave and Beautiful” are promoting abusive and aggressive behaviors towards women. Men are replicating these actions which create “a sense that this kind of behavior is admirable or acceptable.” [7] During Ramadan in Egypt, Turkish soap operas on average broadcast between150-200 episodes. [6] Turkish soap operas are also blamed for the increase in the divorce rate. In the media, there have been some court records from Arab countries, allegedly proving this, but in the Egyptian media there has been no report of a divorce case originating particularly from watching Turkish soap operas. One such result might explain the increases divorce rate in Egypt, which stands at 40% as of 2017. [8] Many couples see the idealized lifestyle in Turkish soap operas, and have similar expectations for their own marriage. When these high expectations do not materialize, they chose divorce as an option to rid themselves of their financial problems. It is now not out of the ordinary to see divorced men and woman, where in recent times this practice was virtually unheard of. The portrayal of divorced individuals in Turkish soap operas like “Brave and Beautiful” is having an effect on couples throughout the Arab world. In Turkey, there has been a “14-fold increase in violent crimes against women.” [9] A public debate in Turkey is underway as to the increase of crime towards women, in the past seven years, is being attributed to Turkish soap operas. While the Turkish government has in place strong laws punishing these types of acts, it openly promotes the airing of Turkish soap operas that show crimes against women from rape to physical and emotional abuses. [7] “Turkey ranks 125 out of 140 countries in the 2014 Global Gender Gap Index, and made no progress in reducing domestic violence between 2008 and 2014.” [10] The increasing numbers indicates an acceptance of the norms in Arab countries to accept these standards of behaviors by both women and men. The rise of media resources available to individuals is making shows like “Brave and Beautiful” readily available to audiences throughout the world, and especially in Arab countries.
1. Synopsis
2. Outcome
3. Statistics
4. References
5. External Links
References
1. http://ecchorights.com/series/brave-and-beautiful 2. https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-04-26/turkish-soap-operas-portrayal-women-stirs-controversy 3. https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-blames-turkish-soaps-for-divorce-rise/ 4. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:628227/FULLTEXT01.pdf 5. https://www.timesofisrael.com/turkish-soap-operas-latest-casualty-of-regional-conflicts/ 6. http://earsiv.sehir.edu.tr:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11498/3011/000110141002.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=n 7. http://harvardpolitics.com/world/turkeys-femicide-problem/ 8. https://scoopempire.com/egypts-divorce-rate-increases-from-7-to-40-during-the-past-50-years/ 9. https://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/serta%C3%A7-sehliko%C4%9Flu/rape-in-turkey-between-incitement-complicity-and-silence 10. http://rumiforum.org/womens-issues-turkey/
External Links
Homepage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_and_Beautiful
Preview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zWJhNJXFL0
https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-04-26/turkish-ttps://www.pri.org/stories/2017-04-26/turkish-soap-operas-portrayal-women-stirs-controversy