Final answer:
Soap opera audiences are positioned as 'ideal mothers' by being presented with female characters that adhere to societal norms and gender roles, influencing how audiences relate to their own roles as mothers. Historical and cultural expectations continue to shape the portrayal of mothers in mass media, even though some modern shows have started challenging these traditional depictions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Soap opera audiences are often positioned as 'ideal mothers' through the portrayal of female characters that embody specific cultural values and gender roles. For example, in India, serials like The Mahabharat and The Ramayan presented ideals of womanhood in the characters of Sita and Draupadi, which influenced how Indian middle-class women related the content to their own experiences as mothers. These soap operas reflect larger trends in mass media, where women are frequently shown in less significant roles or as polarized figures—either a wholesome mother or a malevolent presence. This portrayal has historical roots, as seen in 1950s America where women were often depicted as satisfied homemakers. Even in more recent television shows, the idea of motherhood is influenced by cultural expectations of nurturing and sacrificing one's own interests for the family. Although shows like Shameless have begun to subvert traditional roles, presenting children as family leaders, the stereotype of mothers in media remains prevalent.