[12][13] Juan Bobo stories are used as instructional models in public school districts and libraries throughout the United States[14] and on PBS Television.
[17] In a typical Juan Bobo story his mother asks him to clean up a pig so she'll fetch a higher price in the town market.
[13] The Juan Bobo character has been called an avatar of indigenous morality,[13] a repository of cultural/historical information,[10] and a symbol of resistance to colonial oppression.
[12] As such, in United States and Puerto Rican universities, the Juan Bobo stories have been preserved and studied for their sociological and political significance.
[23][24] The pícaros are unlikely and delinquent heroes – living by their wits among corrupt priests and prostitutes, beggars and idle gentlemen, thieves, tricksters and murderers.
Though Juan and his pícaro tricks constitute the main story interest, the satirical comments on various trades and professions give a wealth of information on the social, political and religious fabric of Puerto Rico.
[16] As Paul Bunyan is identified with the US, Robin Hood with England, and El Zorro with Mexico – Juan Bobo, the beloved noodlehead, is the perennial folk hero of Puerto Rico.
[40] The Juan Bobo stories are known in many countries, from the United States to Central and South America, the Caribbean, Spain and the Philippines.
[59] In the theatrical arts, in New York City, Theatre Works USA developed and presented a Juan Bobo play, together with a children's study guide in 2008.
On May 4, 2012, the School Librarians Association of Puerto Rico created an all-day special event in Villalba in homage and recognition of Juan Bobo and his legacy.