#walangFOREVER? (Part 2 of 2)
On Telenovelas of Infidelity and Views towards Marriage
Divorce and annulments are now openly and casually discussed on telenovelas as a solution to the marital relationship problem.
My partner and I used a correlational research method to determine the level of the randomly selected married women’s exposure to infidelity-themed telenovelas and its possible connection to the shift of their views towards marriage in Purok Old San Isidro, Buhangin District, Davao City. The study revealed that the respondents’ frequent and intense viewing on infidelity-themed telenovelas has a significant relationship on their views towards marriage in terms of intimacy, passion, and commitment.
A respondent who we named “Maria” said:
“Sa kadugay namo mag-tiayun, wa man ko nagaduda sukad-sukad…Pero ‘tung nagtan-aw nako ani na mga klase na palabas na nay kabit-kabit, usahay makahuna-huna ko ug di maayo na kung magdugay siya (akong bana) ug uli gikan sa iyang trabahuan basin asa na siya na sangit na balay. (For all the years that my husband and I have been together, I never doubted not even for once…But when I started to watch infidelity-themed telenovelas, I sometimes think that the possibility of him cheating whenever he gets home late from work because he might have dropped by a different house).”
Media is indeed a powerful tool in showing the different shades of realities currently happening in the society. One of that would be the case of infidel husbands to their wives, leading women to the most extreme yet heartbreaking option—separation and/or annulment. However, infidelity-themed telenovelas encouraging the act of separation as the answer to distressing marital infidelities would result to more broken families and distorted society.
Times of shaking are inevitable between married couples. There is no such thing as perfect relationship. There will be arguments, disagreements, tribulations and trials in marital life. Yet, if God is the Cornerstone of every marriage, then the foundation will remain strong. There will be satisfaction and success in marriage. (Emmaree Jane Lozada)
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