COMM 380: Media Criticism
by Sara Harrison, '20
Major: Conflict Resolution & Analysis
Television has become increasingly raunchy and open about sexual experiences since ‘I Love Lucy,’ ranging from overt sex scenes in the HBO hit series ‘Game of Thrones’ to talking about the factors of sex in MTV’s ‘Girl Code.’ Although these shows are rated ‘M’ for Mature audiences only, children and teenagers can watch anything they want on television or by streaming shows through Netflix, or other streaming services, from the privacy of their bedrooms, depending on parental controls (Hanson, 2016).
Shows that talk about sex often refer to those with religious beliefs as ‘pious’ or ‘prudish,’ often reflecting the most conservative views of Christianity or Catholicism and picks the ideals apart for the sake of sexual freedom, potentially glorifying sex for younger audiences. The CW’s ‘Jane the Virgin’ combines Catholicism and sex in a unique romantic narrative with a diverse cast to appeal to teenagers and adults alike, especially those who have felt uncomfortable with intimacy conflicting with their religion, and even age. The show has broken down barriers by highlighting what it means to be a Catholic Latinx dealing with sexual temptations, reality, family and romance to encourage dialogue with agenda-setting to make viewers more comfortable with embracing their identities.
‘Jane the Virgin’ is loose American telenovela that begins with a woman, Jane, making a personal commitment to stay a virgin until she is married. Her life is turned upside down when she is artificially inseminated at a gynecologist appointment and becomes pregnant, despite never having sex. Her commitment was influenced by her dedicated Catholic abuela, Alba, and her “provocative” mother, Xiomara. Jane’s grandmother used symbolism to show how sacred one’s virginity is by using a white rose and crumbling the flower to represent what sex does to one’s morality if participated outside of wedlock.
The audience may see this metaphor as slut
- shaming today, but they eventually learn that Alba’s view does not come only from her religious views, but because when she lost hers, she was punished by her family in Venezuela and society. Xiomara always encouraged Jane to embrace her sexuality by being open about her experiences even though she gave birth to Jane when she was a teenager.
These two different mindsets molded Jane into a meticulous woman who created her personal commitment not solely on her religious beliefs, but as “an act of trust- in her grandmother, in her past self, and in the wisdom of tradition,” (Addington, 2017). Teenagers who grow up in traditional Catholic households are often told the same thing that Alba preaches yet are surrounded by a society that promotes sexuality, leading to conflicting ideas and decreased self-esteem. This show talks about the ideals of Catholicism in addition to reality and the emotions that relate to sexuality to encourage acceptance of how one feels in morally-conflicting situations.
When children watch shows or pay attention to mass media, they may look to the leading roles to answer questions for them that they may feel uncomfortable asking their parents or peers. Audiences in general watch show that they can relate to in a dramatic fashion. ‘Jane the Virgin’ appeals to a large audience not only because of the range of topics that the show covers, but because of the diverse cast.
The show focuses on a Latina family with Russian and African-American actors alongside a few Caucasian actors. Audiences can connect with strong females and sensitive males which can lead to self-acceptance. As a teenager, finding out who one is can be extremely confusing and stressful when comparing themselves to social norms and society’s expectations. Hollywood has been criticized for years for not casting diverse actors, emphasizing ‘black shows’ or excluding minorities from predominantly white-focused entertainment.
Telenovelas have been the most popular shows on Spanish networks and audiences have often complained that there are not enough shows that exhibit the every-day life of a Hispanic person in America (Hanson, 2016). ‘Jane the Virgin’ has bridged this gap by combining those ideas into an Americanized telenovela which may seem cheesy to some. However, Nussbaum points out that the ‘fluff’ criticism is often remarked when art makes women’s lives look like fun (2018). Audiences have embraced these “guilty pleasures” and enjoyed the layered messages the show presents.
Finally, there is more to sex than the physical event. Sexuality is often a taboo topic between parents and children, only to be discussed concerning what is ‘safe sex’ and when the appropriateness. ‘Jane the Virgin’ talks about the sexuality spectrum by exploring one of the most controversial labels: bisexuality. The plotline does not last long but shows how Jane confronts her bias against the lifestyle when a man from her past re-enters and causes her to reflect on her own sexuality.
The Catholic faith does not believe in same-sex marriage yet still teaches followers to love everybody equally, a concept the character fully believes in. Teenagers who do not accept their own sexuality or even gender. The show encourages dialogue between parties within a relationship, which has been proven to help lead to positive self-esteem and better relationships when uncertainty is decreased (Crawford).
In a progressing society with sexuality spectrums, open dialogue about sex, and conflicting religious beliefs, teens and their parents may be scared about their realities. History proves that freedom to be oneself can be conditional and leads to a more depressed society (Gray, 2010). Being able to connect with people in power, such as celebrities seen on television regularly, can help one develop their social identity and increase their well-being. ‘Jane the virgin’ tackles these issues in a romantic and comedic way while emphasizing family values.
References
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Nguyen, H., & Nguyen, H. (2018, March 10). ‘Jane the Virgin’s’ Examination of Writer’s Block Is the Most Surprising but Touching Story This Season. Retrieved June 13, 2018, from http://www.indiewire.com/2018/03/jane-the-virgin-season-4-episode-12-recap- spoilers-writing-critic-1201937792/
Nussbaum, E. (2018, March 5). “Jane the Virgin” Is Not a Guilty Pleasure. The New Yorker. Retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/12/jane-the-virgin-is- not-a-guilty-pleasure
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