Family, gender and sexuality in contemporary chilean soap operas. Affinities with the sociological theory and the studies carried out in the country

Abstract

The themes of family, gender and sexuality have been addressed by different authors and researchers, who support the production of important changes in these areas. This article describes the family forms, the gender relationships and sexuality that are broadcast by five Chilean soap operas, results that are discussed in light of the sociological theory and the studies carried out in the country. It is an interpretative study based on principles of ethnography, bricoleur and grounded theory. Of the results, attention is drawn to the importance acquired by reconstituted families -subsequently addressed in national studies-, the alternative gender models and the diversity of sexual relationships contained in these programs, aspects that sociology considers characteristic of modern society. There is a need to broaden the sociological categories used in the studies, incorporating new types of families, particularly reconstituted and homoparental ones.