Stereotypes of Hispanic and Latino Americans - Female Hispanics

Female Hispanics

Sexual and racial stereotypes of Latinas are often demonstrated in the US mainstream media. The women of this ethnic group are often portrayed as being overly sensual, passionate, curvaceous, olive-skinned women. While at times they are shown in an overly provocative manner, in some instances they are illustrated in an opposing way: virginal, religious, conservative and family-oriented. Both of these representations find themselves on extreme sides of the spectrum. These women are rarely depicted in a professional setting, but are rather seen as devoted homemakers while the men of their household are out making a living.

Sofia Vergara’s character, Gloria, on ABC’s hit TV show Modern Family illustrates a fairly stereotypical depiction of Latinas. Focusing first on her physical characteristics, Sofia’s dark hair, slightly tanned skin and hour-glass shaped figure embodies the conventional Latina-look. Her character’s prominent Spanish accent and frequent misuse of English-language vocabulary is a constant reminder of her ethnicity. Finally, references to things such as Spanish-language soap operas, known as telenovelas, reinforce Gloria’s cliché representation of Latinas..