As the shows become ever more popular internationally, some women viewers see the female characters as empowered and inspiring – and those viewers become more willing to speak up for themselves. Others see the same shows as reinforcing traditional norms (women as caregivers dependent on men) and punish female characters who stray from those norms. And what do the men think? (Well, the photo at left is of a poster for one of these soap opera that’s been egged.)