When my daughter became enamored with the Berenstain Bears, I was to blame. I recalled fond memories of the series from my childhood, filled with warmth from my old library. So, I indulged her with book after book when she was three. As we read together, she was captivated by the stories portraying real family struggles. However, I was dismayed. Many others have echoed similar sentiments regarding the regressive themes in these books (see Mia Thompson’s article on this in the Washington Post). Like many revisiting this nostalgic favorite, I began to notice the pervasive misogyny.
For those unfamiliar with the series, here’s a brief overview: Mama Bear is the one who manages the household, while Papa Bear often plays the role of the bumbling parent, frequently undermining Mama Bear’s efforts to instill good habits in their cubs. In fact, Papa Bear often becomes her biggest obstacle. When she finally decides to stop cleaning due to a lack of support, the family allows the house to descend into chaos, with critters in the bathtub and messes everywhere. Yet, throughout these trials, Mama Bear still vacuums “once in a while.”
In what seems like a feeble attempt at progressiveness, the books do show Mama working, but this lasts only one story (running a quilt shop). She also briefly runs for mayor, which also fades quickly after a single tale. These instances highlight the stress and sacrifices the family makes, which could have been avoided if Mama simply stayed home.
Beyond the glaring gender dynamics, there are other troubling aspects as well. Many of the stories prioritize conformity above all else. For example, “The Berenstain Bears and The Messy Room” sends a clear message that a tidy, well-behaved child who excels academically holds more value than anything else. And let’s not overlook Too Tall, the “bad kid” from a lower socio-economic background, who becomes an object of fascination for my daughter.
Despite these issues, the Berenstain Bears series was immensely popular and continues to linger in our cultural consciousness. There are even theories surrounding the BerenstAin versus BerenstEin Bears that tie into the Mandela Effect, as discussed in Discover Magazine. Recently, a meme has surfaced on Reddit that is even more overtly racist than the book “The New Neighbors,” where the Bear family looks at their new panda neighbors—this time wearing masks. While this meme is uncomfortable, I’ve often wondered how a Berenstain Bears book would depict our current reality, especially since the onset of COVID-19.
Would Mama Bear have to persuade Papa Bear and the cubs to wear masks? I doubt it. The values taught in these stories revolve around community and helping others. In “The Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand,” Mama Bear stays up late worrying about the cubs’ selfishness, while Papa Bear snores away. The Bears repeatedly learn to prioritize others and their community. So, I can’t imagine them as anti-maskers. What would they be doing instead?
My daughter, now five and something of a Berenstain Bears expert, thinks they would “just quarantine in the treehouse, order groceries and stuff.” So let’s entertain that idea. Picture them “down a sunny dirt road, deep in bear country,” with Brother and Sister Bear engaging in remote learning and Mama Bear managing the household, trying to keep her kids on track while caring for Baby Honey.
We can assume Papa Bear would be of little help, perhaps suggesting the kids skip their remote classes or cranking up the TV during study time. And I doubt Mama Bear would yell at her kids to join Zoom classes, even if they were upset about missing out on other activities. Instead, she would likely instill a love for online learning, ensuring her daughter is muted before letting loose a colorful word at their dog during class. She wouldn’t break down at virtual Back-to-School night, overwhelmed by the chaos.
Even Mama Bear might reach her breaking point. She might let the cleaning slide, engage in passive-aggressive behavior, or retreat into her quilting. The pressure that typically keeps the Berenstain Bears’ white, middle-class domestic life intact is likely the very thing that could unravel it: Mama Bear herself.
Women have been disproportionately affected by COVID—not just by the virus, but by the aftermath it leaves behind. Women lost nearly double the number of jobs as men, and according to the Washington Post, one out of four women who became unemployed during the pandemic cited a lack of childcare as the reason—double the rate of men. The National Bureau of Economic Research forecasts a widening gender wage gap post-COVID, favoring men. Women are also more likely to carry the burden of homeschooling and childcare responsibilities, often while working full-time—a juggling act akin to cooking risotto, replicating the Mona Lisa, and trying not to sound clueless on a work call simultaneously.
So, let’s envision a version of Mama Bear navigating the challenges of COVID-19. Perhaps she had to shut down her quilting business for part of the year, worry about meeting rent, or adapt her business model for online sales, which might be thriving due to the increased interest in crafting during lockdown. While trying to keep up, she faces interruptions from Papa Bear hammering away in the garage, Baby Honey needing snacks, Brother Bear struggling with tech issues, and Sister Bear missing her friends—all while Papa Bear fumbles around, possibly asking for lunch because he can’t locate the kitchen.
While Mama Bear would certainly feel the strain of this new normal, the scenario might escalate to where she loses her cool, not in a minor way like in “The Berenstain Bears and The Slumber Party,” but potentially in a “burn the treehouse down” sort of way.
This moment of realization is overdue for Mama Bear but also highlights the increasing struggles women face. Recently, my blood pressure shot up during a routine blood donation—typically it’s low. Whether Mama Bear is managing a business or finding her footing amid chaos, the stress is mounting. Women report significantly higher levels of stress than men due to the pandemic—57% of mothers compared to 32% of fathers say their mental health has worsened.
Before the pandemic, it was already well-documented that women typically shoulder a larger share of domestic tasks, regardless of their employment status. The United Nations found that women undertook three times the domestic workload compared to men. Now, with the added pressure of worrying about children’s health, education, and the long-term effects of a socially distanced birthday party, the burden seems insurmountable.
The long-term impacts of this pandemic are yet to be fully realized. How will women fare in the aftermath? Will the glass ceiling become even thicker as the pandemic exacerbates gender disparities in the workplace? We must consider the detrimental health and social consequences of this stress.
What needs to happen for Mama Bear to thrive? In a fantasy version of “Berenstain Bears and The Coronavirus: Trouble in the Treehouse,” I envision Mama Bear igniting a fire in the living room during a fit of rage. This prompts her to embrace the idea that it’s okay to let the house become messy, allow for less-than-perfect grades, and focus on simply getting through this crisis. She and the cubs might engage in light-hearted activities, buy a foosball table, and Mama Bear could begin online yoga classes while letting the cubs stay up a little later. She might even reach out to a friend for an outdoor coffee catch-up, allowing herself to express vulnerability and simply aim to survive this ordeal.
And, in this narrative, let’s not forget Papa Bear—who remains absent from this story because he’s not the supportive partner Mama Bear needs right now.
That’s a tale I’d eagerly read to my daughter, one that reflects the need to prioritize mental health and self-compassion in times of adversity.
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Summary:
Mothers, akin to the “Mama Bear” archetype, have faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, managing household duties, remote learning, and emotional strain while feeling the weight of societal expectations. The Berenstain Bears series highlights some outdated gender dynamics, but it also reflects the resilience of mothers who have taken on the majority of domestic responsibilities. The stress of navigating this new normal can lead to overwhelming feelings, and it’s vital for mothers to prioritize their mental health and find ways to embrace imperfection during these trying times.
Keyphrase: Moms and the COVID-19 Pandemic
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