ABC announced yesterday that it is cancelling two of its longest running soap operas: All My Children and One Life to Live. Come September 2011 and January 2012, the respective towns of Pine Valley and Llanview will go to sleep as will all of its characters who have been entertaining generations since the late ’60s.

I remember as a child watching All My Children with my mother in the ’80s and being fascinated by stories, especially whatever surrounded the iconic Erica Kane (played by Susan Lucci). Also, One Life to Live was the first soap I ever watched as an adult. I loved the strong, independent Evangeline Williamson, played by Renee Elise Goldsberry, and followed her storyline until they put her in a coma (go figure). Granted, I don’t watch either of the shows now, but I still find myself every once in a while going online and reading about current plot lines as though I’m checking in on old friends.

Many women have grown up with soaps, and whether you like them or not, they’re a part of our pop culture. And you can learn a little something from them too. Check out these Beliefnet features:

God and the Soaps
Adultery! Feuding heirs! Corrupting power! Battles over babies! They’re all found in the Bible and in soap operas.

11 Love Lessons from Soap Operas
What have these fictional characters taught me? Well, there are several secrets to relationship happiness I’ve gleaned from watching daytime TV dramas.

What lessons have you learned from soap operas?