British soaps are a staple in many UK households. With soaps usually being on at the same day and same time each week, it gives viewers a source of comfort and normality, as they have something to look forward to each week. For me, ITV soaps such as Coronation Street has given me this comfort, as every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm, I am able to watch the same familiar characters navigate their lives.
Coronation Street is based on Northern working-class Manchester. For many working-class people, seeing themselves represented on screen helps for them to feel seen, as characters participating in mundane everyday life reflects their own lives. For example, working class characters having a pint and a chat in the pub with each other, reflects how working-class individuals feel in real life.
For me, watching Coronation Street as a young person, I get a similar feeling. Having a platform that showcases young people navigating modern everyday life makes me feel represented. As a young person, being represented in the media is beneficial to shaping my identity, so I am thankful that Coronation Street provides a platform to accurately portray the issues and struggles that young people and teenagers face today.
This article will discuss some social issue storylines that Coronation Street has portrayed through young people.It will discuss the impact this has on young viewers.
1. Asha and Nina navigate their sexuality and relationship
Coronation Street portrayed the teenage relationship of Asha and Nina. Too often, the media portrays heterosexuality as the norm, particularly between teenagers. It was eye-opening for me to see a lesbian relationship portrayed between Nina and Asha. Many viewers expressed how this relationship opened up conversations in their households about young people coming out. This relationship therefore gave young LGBTQIA+ individuals the opportunity to voice their identities. Normalising young people navigating their sexuality and their relationships on a prime time ITV slot gives young people the opportunity to come out to their family.
2. Nina’s hate crime story
Nina Lucas has a Victorian goth identity, through the way that she dresses. The hate crime storyline saw Nina become subjected to hate crime, violence, prejudice and discrimination for being herself. Intolerance towards individuals from subcultures such as goth subcultures is prevalent in UK society, which influenced the decision for this storyline. Coronation Street worked closely with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation to deliver this storyline accurately. Sophie Lancaster had a gothic identity and was subjected to a violent attack which resulted in her death due to her injuries. Sylvia Lancaster, Sophie’s mother, commented on the impact Coronation Street portraying this storyline had, stating how alternative people should feel able to report hate crimes, and the police should deal with them appropriately. The storyline also showcased Nina’s low self-esteem after the attack, but from support from friends and family, she was able to believe in herself and accept her identity. Therefore, Coronation Street using its platform to portray the horrific ordeal that individuals are subjected to, helps young people watching the show understand the impact that hate crime has on individuals from subcultures.
Overall, these are just a couple of storylines that have impacted viewers of British soaps. Other examples include bullying, teenage grooming, sexual exploitation and grief. It is important for British soaps to provide a platform for issues that teenagers face in society, so young people are able to report these issues appropriately and access the support they need.
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