Jane the Virgin: The Reformed Latino Ideology

Zoe Damann
Nov 4 · 5 min read

THE MOVEMENT — Jane the Virgin Challenges Latino Stereotypes

Gina Rodriguez features as the star of this popular CW show.

Before this American telenovela released in 2014, no television show quite measured up to the cultural and ideological presentation that Jane the Virgin brought to the media. Fans instantly blew up from the excitement it brought to modern-day television and eagerly awaited for more content.

What, in particular, made fans instantaneously gravitate to this beloved series? The answer is actually quite simple: the modification of conventional Latino stereotypes and the way in which it challenges the former status quo of its community.

Confident Jane who is academically, professionally and personally thriving…(for the most part ;)

Let’s do this. Deep breathe, “inhale, exhale”.

Jane the Virgin stands in opposition to the traditional view of Latinos on television which formerly depicted those who were more than one of the following: a member of the lower class, highly religious, undocumented, non-English speaking, or unintelligent.

Conversely, the director of this telenovela places Jane Villanueva as a middle-class citizen who is a graduate student with hopes to become a published author in English, writing romance novels.

“Life is full of tough moments, you have to fight for what you want.”

-Jane Villanueva

Not only does this image of Jane inversely contrast with societal expectations of Hispanic reputations but it also opens the door for expansion of Jane’s life and the course she may find herself on in the next few seasons following the pilot.

Jane the Virgin mimics the biblical saint of The Virgin Mary. This situational humor adds to the stylistic features of this American telenovela and the way in which is reforms societal perceptions.

The show centers around the obscure phenomenon of young Jane becoming pregnant despite being a virgin. Along with this, the show directly pokes fun of the religious character, the Virgin Mary. Evidently, religion happens to be a strong theme throughout the course of the show yet over time, the way in which it is valued and portrayed changes immensely.

Hispanic/Latinx ≠ Religion

Starting at a young age, Alba greatly influences Jane’s views on religion by consistently drilling teachings and practice into her mind. Jane is oftentimes seen as a moral example for her own mother, Xiomara, as she has shown to not adapt to her mother’s beliefs. The absence of a cohesive religious agreement between the three generations and Jane’s baby daddy results in wavering commitment to religion within the show as the levels of morality and ethical teachings decrease. This further emphasizes that not all Latinos are strongly devoted to Catholocism and many exhibit what it truly means to be human.

Though Jane’s subconscious calls her to follow the ways of her grandmother, Jane ultimately decides her personal values and beliefs.

Family ≠ Blood Relationship

Along with religion, the idea of family is very important within the Villanueva family yet there is a slight twist to the stereotypical ideology that only blood-related individuals care for one another as their own. Over the course of the show, many characters become very close to the Villanueva family such as Rafael, Michael, and Petra.

Notice the addition of core characters within the show that are not directly blood-related to the Villanueva family.

Although these members are not truly immediate family, Jane cares for these individuals in a very similar manner. In doing so, Jane is also seen as being able to focus on bother her family and career which creates a variation of the exclusive family-only stereotype.

Immigration ≠ Always Illegal

Alba’s U.S. Citizenship challenges the deprecative stereotype of illegal immigration under extreme circumstances and what it means to persevere with a hard-working attitude.

Another fascinating stereotype that is turned over within the show would be assumptions about illegal immigration and the unbearable adaption to a new life. The audience closely follows the course of Alba’s immigration to the United States and witnessed her dedication and hard work.

“I am not scared of you anymore, because I am an American now, bitch.”

-Alba

This personal walk through her journey to Miami further corrupts the negative stereotype of illegal immigration and the need for deportation.

Crime ≠ Minority Group

A female crime drug lord stuns present-day viewers who watch this unique telenovela as the show continues to uproot negative stereotypes of the Latinx community.

On the flip side to this telenovela, crime and the assumed accusors are flipped in this television drama. Fans soon learn of prevalent crime organization that eventually takes a role in the main plotline. The most powerful drug lord in Miami is revealed as Sin Rostro, better known as Rose, who is a white feminist figure. This alteration of the standard expectation of a crime boss directly challenges the Hispanic male crime organizer.

All in all, Jane the Virgin assesses the traditional functions of stereotypes and transforms them into a new and reformed way of approaching progressive ideologies. Cultural issues and concepts are combatted with characters and scenarios that directly challenge the negativity associated with Latinx stereotypes. This telenovela is just an initial step to eliminating false perceptions about other communities outside of ones that we are already apart of.

Academic Sources:

Grell, Caroline. “The Fight for Equality: The Role of Latino Stereotypes in Jane the Virgin”. Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications, Vol. 8, №1. Spring 2017. Pgs. 35–44. https://www.elon.edu/u/academics/communications/journal/wp-content/uploads/sites/153/2017/06/04_Caroline_Grell.pdf.

Mastro, Dana E. “A Social Identity Approach to Understanding the Impact of Television Messages.” Communication Monographs, vol. 70, no. 2, June 2003, pp. 98–113. EBSCOhost, DOI:10.1080/0363775032000133764.

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