From Conflict to Connection

Italian female teen audiences and the changing dynamics of mothers and daughters in film and television

Abstract

The mother–daughter relationship is often described as “natural,” rooted in biology and emotional continuity. Yet both motherhood and daughterhood are historically and culturally constructed roles, shaped by social expectations, symbolic hierarchies, and media representations. This article reflects on the evolution of these constructions in contemporary society, combining empirical research on Italian female adolescence with an analysis of recent Italian media. Interviews with adolescent girls reveal a strong idealization of the mother as independent, courageous, emotionally present, and authoritative. However, this aspirational image contrasts sharply with current representations in Italian television series and films, where mothers frequently appear absent, fragile, or emotionally disconnected. The article argues that this tension reflects layered media models that, over time, have redefined what mothers and daughters can or should be. Motherhood and daughterhood thus emerge not as natural givens, but as negotiated and culturally mediated positions.