Sexism in Monarca
Monarca, on Netflix, is the telenovela that I’ve been watching throughout this course. Watching this show started out as an assignment but is now an addiction. I have thoroughly enjoyed this narconovela and continue to learn more episode by episode. Lately when binging the show, I have noticed sexism presented in the episodes.
For better understanding of the increasing levels of sexism in the show, background knowledge is needed. The show begins with the murder of the CEO of Monarca Industries, the father of the Carranza family. He is the father of three children: Andrés, Joaquin, and Ana María. One of the three children must be the successor of the thriving Monarca empire. Before his death, the father told Ana María, the only female sibling, that he wanted her to take over the CEO position and even gave her his leadership ring. However, he had not updated his will in a while prior to his death. In his will at the time of his death, it stated that the decision on who inherits the Monarca empire would go to his wife, and she would ultimately decide among their three children. Because of the will, the father’s words toward Ana María did not matter anymore and could not be proved. Joaquin immediately begins treating Ana María with disrespect. He deems her unfit to even be considered to be the head of the tequila empire. This is where sexism is first revealed in the show.
The sexism continues to increase as the show goes on. Joaquin’s actions towards Ana María tend to be the main evidence of sexism. He does everything in his power to belittle her each chance he gets. One example of this is at a huge family dinner after their father’s funeral, Joaquin embarrasses Ana María at the table by bringing up her moving to Los Angeles. Not only this, but he even has her hotel room broken into and has her beaten, just to get the superiority complex over her.
The sexism does not stop here, though. After the siblings’ mother hands over the CEO position to Ana María, employees in the Monarca industry that are seen as decently high up constantly question her authority and if she is capable of making the right decisions for the company. Sexism in a family is hard, but sexism in the workplace is extremely difficult to overcome. Monarca industries has far more men that work for them than women, making it very hard for her to deal with their lack of seriousness towards her.
As I continue watching Monarca, I will continue to make mental notes of the sexism Ana María endures. My prediction is that it will not get better, but get far worse. I feel like as she encounters more tough decision making for the company, the men that work for her will grow impatient with her and disrespect her even more.
Brynn Wacter
Is the sexism the main component of the show? Or is it more about women in power? It's good to commentate on both of these topics, because it can still be an issue for many. I also think that, given some of the values in Latino culture, this commentary is good to explore. Furthermore, I'm wondering when the show is set in, if it's more modern or more of a historical show. It's interesting to see the different directions a show can take with it's setting.
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