Why Do Australian Soaps Fail to Portray Working Classes Like British Soaps?

So, why don't Australian soap operas such as quo;Neighboursquo; and quo;Home and Awayquo; reflect the working classes as accurately as British soaps like quo;EastEndersquo; and quo;Coronation Streetraquo; do? This question has long puzzled viewers who, despite Australia's reputation for egalitarianism, wonder why the subject matter of working-class life is so rarely featured.

Is it the checkout chick in Woolies or Coles, who might just be a university student or a mother returning to work after raising her children? Or is it the builder working on your house or a tradie (tradesman) working in the construction industry? Could it be the garbage collector or the street sweeper? And then, there's the gutter cleaner—yes, the list goes on. These are indeed people who work for a living, and they fit the broad definition of ldquo;working classrdquo;—but they are just ordinary people doing their jobs and getting paid for it. ldquo;Classrdquo; as a concept is hardly used in Australia, and this is reflected in the way we portray characters in our soap operas.

What Do Soaps Show Instead?

So, who do we see in the nation's soap operas? Policemen, tradies, salespeople, doctors, and retirees. There are sports players, mothers, fathers, and school kids—often, there are also characters representing a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, including the occasional criminal that the cops have to catch. This generally provides a good cross-section of society, without resorting to class-based designations, which is quite indicative of Australian society.

However, the situations and storylines presented in these soaps are far from typical of Australian society. Many Australians find them unrealistic due to the often exaggerated and dramatic storylines, and the idyllic settings, like living in close proximity to a beach, that are essential to the characters' lives. These portrayals are not reflective of genuine Australian life and can be seen as unrealistic and unappealing for vacationers and locals alike.

Class and Egalitarianism in Australia

Australians, much like Britons and Americans, do not have a deep-seated fixation on class as portrayed in British soaps. Similarly, we are not fixated on race, as is the case in the American depiction of society. This is because of Australia's reputation for egalitarianism, which is deeply ingrained in our national identity. However, it's clear that the portrayals of working-class life in Australian soaps may differ from those in British soaps, and this reflects the unique nature of Australian life.

Works of Fiction or Something More?

EastEnders and Coronation Street are works of fiction, and it's important to remember that the behavior of characters in these shows is often exaggerated for dramatic effect. Neighbours and Home and Away, on the other hand, are primarily made to attract people to take holidays in Australia. These shows are not meant to be realistic. Who would want to vacation somewhere that has drug and alcohol problems, where inhabitants constantly swear like navvies, or look like they just rolled out of bed? The purpose of these soaps is to provide escapism and entertainment, not a true reflection of Australian life.