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Brazil – Story Lines
Story lines promoting safe sex
One of the reoccurring themes addressed in the telenovelas was safe sex. The issue was addressed in a number of different ways. For example, in the telenovela, A Favorita, one of the lead female characters named Alicia is shown always carrying a condom, and when things heat up between her and the character Zé Bob, she immediately pulls a condom out of her purse. In the telenovela, Duas Caras, Petrus, one of the lead male characters, experiences his first sexual relationship. When his mother realizes that his relationship with Bijuzinha is getting serious, she has a conversation with him about being in a sexual relationship. She emphasizes the importance of using a condom, not only to protect against unplanned pregnancy, but also to protect against STIs. Other telenovelas highlighted other forms of birth control, such as IUDs and the pill.
In the telenovela, Malhação, one of the lead female characters, Paula, finds out she has HPV (Human Papillomavirus). Paula feels embarrassed and doesn’t know what to do, so she confides in her friend, Peralta. She tells him that she doesn’t know much about the disease, all she knows is that she can die from it. Peralta doesn’t know much about HPV either, so he visits the doctor to get more information. The doctor explains to Peralta what HPV is and how it is contracted. He explains that HPV affects 40% of women below 30 years of age, but only 1% develops cancer as a result. He goes on to say that using a condom is the best way to prevent STIs, including HPV. To help inform and educate his fellow classmates, Peralta decides to organize a seminar series on HPV and the prevention of STIs. The discussion between Peralta and the doctor helps to provide the audience with important information about HPV and prevention of STIs. These scenes also help to make the audience feel more comfortable talking about these very sensitive issues and help to reduce stigma against people living with an STI, another very important aspect of reducing the spread of STIs.
Story lines about environmental preservation
Environmental preservation was addressed in a number of the telenovelas. Duas Caras incorporated a scene with a teacher instructing a class about the importance of preserving the environment. In Beleza Pura, one of the characters asks his roommate to spend less time showering to conserve water and also suggests switching to energy efficient lights.
The telenovela, Três Irmãs dealt with the issue of unsustainable development. In fact, this topic was a central theme in this very popular telenovela. A character named Violeta decides she wants to build a resort hotel on Praia Azul (Blue Beach). Violeta believes this will help to revive the town. However, what Violeta does not consider is the environmental impacts of the resort. The locals are upset and do not want the beach resort in their town. The people who live in the town hold a meeting and decide to come together to preserve the beach. They explain that the resort would cause waste and pollution and would not be good for the people living in the town. In the end, they were successful in stopping the development. This issue is one that hits close to home for many Brazilians, who have witnessed heir pristine beaches being destroyed by mega resorts.
Story line from Paginas da Vida
Nanda (short for Fernanda), a Brazilian student of Art History in Amsterdam, falls in love with another student called Leo (short for Leonardo), and becomes pregnant after she moves in with him on his houseboat. The sole child of wealthy parents, Leo is terrified about his father’s anticipated reaction to Nanda’s pregnancy, and he asks her to abort the child. When Nanda refuses, Leo gives her a large sum of money and disappears (years later he would surface in Brazil).
Abandoned by Leo, Nanda returns to Brazil and faces a series of tragic events. Hit by a car, Nanda is taken to the hospital where the obstetrician Dr. Helena (played by Regina Duarte) is able to save her twins but cannot save her life. One of the newborn girls, Clara, is identified with Down syndrome, a genetic disorder (occurring in about 1 per 800 births) that often results in reduced cognitive ability and poor muscle tone. Nanda’s mother, the cold-hearted Marta, rejects her granddaughter, having no idea that early childhood interventions, pre-screenings, medical treatment, a nurturing family environment, and vocational training can significantly improve the quality of life of those with Down syndrome.
Longing to be a mother (she had previously lost her only child), Helena adopts the unwanted Clara, raising her with love and care. Clara is Francisco’s twin sister and does not know the existence of her true family. Although a carrier of Down syndrome, Clara studies in a suburban school as per the wishes of her mother Helena, who very openly favors the social inclusion of those with disabilities. As the story line evolves, Clara and Helena encounter several people who stigmatize disabilities, raising an ongoing debate about the issue of disability throughout the course of the show. Years later, when Leo (Clara and Francisco’s father) surfaces in Brazil, Helena is caught in a bind: Should she disclose that his daughter is under her care?
In essence, it was through Clara’s character and Helena’s care for her that the viewers learned about Down syndrome, its physical ramifications, and the stigma faced by those who are diagnosed with it.
