Do Soaps conform/challenge Society?

In my opinion, I think that soaps do challenge society by using certain story lines that a linked with recent events, and are linked to issues in the news and modern day crisis'. An example of this is the character Patrick Newman discussing the death of Michael Jackson in Eastenders, despite this tragedy happening a few days before, and this has happened many times in different soaps.

Soaps often contain places to go if any issues or offences have been made during the programme, and do have help lines, which can include a phone number or a place to visit online. This type of activity is often used when a certain event has occurred, which is usually negative.

Many people believe that Soaps do not help situations and almost stimulate certain issues, but I disagree with this, as I think it helps to raise awareness for certain  incidents, and shows the audience what some people go through on a daily basis, depending on the story line in context.