Jane the Virgin has taken TV by storm. Not only is The CW series' concept — a young woman is accidentally artificially inseminated, despite being a virgin — extremely addicting, but lead actress Gina Rodriguez is this year's breakout star (she won a Golden Globe, after all). The show, while often outrageous, is a telenovela at heart and is probably so addicting because of it's shocking, dramatic plotlines. But another reason to love Jane the Virgin is for the awesome feminist messages it sprinkles throughout the soapiness of the series.
The show handles a lot of story: there's the plot of how Jane handles her unexpected pregnancy; her relationship with her mother and grandmother; the budding relationship with her boss and father of the baby, Rafael; and last but certainly not least, her career. Outside of Jane's storylines, there are plots involving drug rings, murder, secret identities, and more. While all of these stories sound like great TV — and they are, trust me — it's the over lying message of strong female characters that really draws in and holds the audience. Jane the Virgin is still only in its first season, so keep in mind that these are just the current five most feminist aspects of the show. I'm sure we're in for a lot more as the series progresses.
Jane's Strong Female-Driven Family
Jane's family consists of her mother, Xo, and her abuela, Alba. Later in the first season, Jane's father comes into play, but what's important to remember about her family is that they were doing just fine without him. Jane had been raised by two extremely strong and powerful women, which surely has shaped the woman she has become. While the three generations don't always see eye-to-eye, the love they have for each other is impossible to ignore.
Jane's relationship with her mother, Xo, is really a relationship that is worth comparison to Gilmore Girls. Xo is constantly trying to be a strong and powerful woman for Jane to use as a role model, and while she doesn't see herself as that sometimes, Jane clearly looks up to her single mother.
Jane Is Truly Independent
Jane has always had a boyfriend on the show, but that has never prevented her from being an extremely independent woman. At one point, Jane was ready to raise the baby on her own — she had a wonderful role model for that, after all. Whether it is dating or raising a child, Jane's independence is fierce and admirable. She doesn't look for validation from others, works hard to build a life for herself, and has never once has given the impression that she needed a man in her life.
It Boasts Many Powerful Women
Jane is powerful in her ambitions and her intentions, but outside of the main character (and her mother and abuela), Jane is surrounded by other women who show power and strength in their own right. Rose (aka Sin Rostro) is a domineering and career-driven woman (as a lawyer, and a crime boss). Petra, who at first is portrayed as solely Rafael's wife, only becomes more dynamic and self-sufficient as the series continues.
It Embraces Different Representations Of Sexuality
There's no shame in the game on Jane the Virgin. The show has many different women with different sexual experiences. There's the titular character, Jane, who is a virgin, but still very in touch with her sexuality. Her mother, Xo, has a very active sex life. It also depicts a passionate but complicated same-sex relationship in Louisa and Rose, as Rose is afraid to tell her husband (also Louisa's father) that she wants to be with her. Recently, Jane's grandmother Alba began expressing interest in a potential romantic relationship. Jane the Virgin has never shied away from sexuality in any form, or passed judgement on any of its characters' decisions.
It Showcases Jane's Personal & Professional Lives
Despite her unique circumstances, Jane has never once let her career ambitions be thrown aside. In addition to working as a waitress at the hotel, she also student teaches, and worked at her father's telenovela as an intern. She hasn't taken a break, because her career and schooling is extremely important to her. The show could have ecxlusively focused on Jane's pregnancy and romantic drama, but instead, pays just as much attention to her professional life. Thanks to the excellent acting and writing on Jane the Virgin, we've gained one of the best, most feminist series to ever air on TV.
Images: Patrick Wymore/CW; JaneGifs/Tumblr (5)
