Latina women are disproportionately affected by abuse and violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), Latina women are more likely to experience domestic violence than any other group of women in the United States. The same study found that 45% of Latina women have experienced some form of violence, including physical, emotional, or verbal abuse.
To combat the pervasive issue of Latina abuse in entertainment content and popular media, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Here are some strategies for change:
In the offline world, the normalization of “Bred and Throated” types of content contributes to a rape culture that targets Latinas specifically. As Arthur D. Soto-Vásquez’s research suggests, the use of labels like “la tóxica” as a gender role stereotype is “discussed in the context of intimate partner violence, gender roles, and the media’s influence” in ways that lead to real harm.
The University of Texas thesis doesn't just define the problem; it provides a solution. The author "engage(s) with the existing digital archive of Latin American women to comprehend the processes of subjugation, consumption, and the possibilities of reclamation of power amongst women on screen." By utilizing "new wave feminist porn and performance frameworks," it forces us to consider "alternative renderings of the subaltern."
The "LatinaAbuse" tag, while often used as a stylistic brand name or a thematic descriptor for aggressive performance styles, taps into long-standing media tropes regarding Latina women. Popular media has historically oscillated between two extremes: the "Virgin/Madonna" and the "Spitfire/Harlot."
The perpetuation of Latina abuse in entertainment content and popular media can have far-reaching consequences. For Latina women, it can lead to:
The effects of abuse and exploitation on Latina women and their communities are far-reaching: