Netflix’s orange is the new black: A reflection upon the struggles of imprisoned Latinas towards motherhood

Abstract

The following research paper aims at looking closely the experiences of motherhood and the effects that prison has on the Latinas through a Netflix series Orange is the New Black. The research paper will examine the biases and prejudices Latinas women face in association with their pregnancy and childbirth within the prison, reflected though the characters of Blanca Flores, Maria Ruiz, and Dayanara Diaz. The paper will also discuss the desire of Litchfield inmates to be reunited with their families, paying close attention to the ways in which the prison takes a toll on one’s mental health. The research paper will also highlight upon the importance of recreating new families inside of the prison, through the characters of Gloria Mendoza and Alieda Diaz and how these two motherly figures manages to look out for their own people within the prison system. All these points will be interwoven with stories of these women to the real world, relating them to the inequalities and injustices of the prison system and the disassociation and violence these women experiences.