Comment on Jane the Virgin Dismantles the Notion that Abortion Is Something to Be Ashamed About

Jane the Virgin has the well-earned reputation of being one of the most progressive shows on television, tackling issues like faith, female sexuality and immigration with its signature combination of optimism and humor. The 1972 episode of Maude, in which Bea Arthur's character decides to terminate an unplanned pregnancy, is typically credited as the first TV episode to tackle abortion and was met with vocal protest and 40 CBS affiliates refusing to re-air it. For many years afterwards, the rare abortion storylines that appeared were generally treated like after-school specials promoting the pro-life perspective, with the women almost always deciding at the last-minute to keep the baby (as seen in Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210, Felicity and Sex and the City). [...] a 2016 episode of BoJack Horseman hilariously contrasted Diane's (Alison Brie) matter-of-fact decision to get an abortion with the media circus that surrounded a teenage pop star after she decided to fake an abortion for publicity. Both Olivia and Diane's decisions were treated realistically, without any melodrama or hand-wringing on the women's part, and even the singer's fake abortion was used to smartly critique the public debate over reproductive rights. There are many female characters who have gotten abortions without guilt before, but by focusing on how Xo copes with Alba's disappointment, Jane the Virgin draws attention to how the stigma surrounding abortion extends far beyond the procedure itself, and how even with all the strides women's rights have made, there are still strict expectations about how women are supposed to feel about choices they are legally allowed to make. [...] while shows like Scandal and BoJack have helped normalize this concept, Jane extends this conversation by exploring how the backlash to getting an abortion can sometimes be more distressing than the decision itself. Because as much as women are told they can