When my daughter became captivated by the Berenstain Bears, I was to blame. I fondly recalled my own childhood memories of those books, tied to my cozy library visits, and decided to introduce them to her. As we read together, she was enchanted by stories of family and friendship, while I was taken aback. I wasn’t the only one noticing the outdated themes in these tales, as highlighted in recent articles about their regressive views (check out the insights from Lisa Thompson in the New York Times). It was hard to overlook the problematic gender roles presented in the stories.
For those unfamiliar, Mama Bear manages the household while Papa Bear often stumbles through parenting, frequently undermining Mama’s attempts to instill good habits in their cubs. When she finally gives up on cleaning, the house descends into chaos, leaving creepy critters in the bathtub and messes everywhere. In a questionable attempt at modernity, the books feature Mama having a job—but only for one story, and her run for mayor is short-lived as well. These moments highlight the stress and sacrifices that come with her roles, hinting that perhaps it would be easier if she just stayed home.
The gender dynamics are cringe-worthy, and the books often prioritize conformity over individuality. For example, “The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room” emphasizes that a clean, well-behaved child is the ultimate goal. Plus, there’s the character of Too Tall, the bully who is depicted as coming from a lower socio-economic background, which raises additional concerns.
Despite these issues, the series enjoyed immense popularity in its time and still lingers in our cultural consciousness. There’s even a curious online phenomenon involving the Berenstain Bears that plays into the concept of the “Mandela Effect” (as discussed here by Discover Magazine). Lately, a meme has emerged that is even more overtly problematic than the book “The New Neighbors,” showing the Bear family looking at their new panda neighbors—who are oddly wearing masks. This twist has made me ponder what a Berenstain Bears story would look like in today’s world, as my daughter calls this time since lockdown “these times.”
One question that comes to mind is whether Mama Bear would need to persuade Papa Bear and the cubs to wear masks. Based on the series’ themes of community care, I find it hard to believe they would be against it. In “The Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand,” for instance, Mama Bear worries about her cubs’ selfishness and leads them to help a neighbor. The Bears consistently learn to prioritize others, which makes me think they’d likely follow health guidelines.
If my five-year-old daughter is right, they might just quarantine in their treehouse and order groceries online. So, imagine Brother and Sister Bear engaging in remote learning while Mama Bear manages the household, all while tending to Baby Honey. It’s reasonable to assume Papa Bear would be less than helpful, probably suggesting the kids skip their lessons or crank up the TV during study time.
Mama Bear wouldn’t yell at the kids to log into class, even if they were resistant. In fact, she would have instilled a love for learning in them, ensuring they were prepared for virtual school. She would mute her daughter during Zoom calls to prevent any embarrassing outbursts and wouldn’t break down during virtual Back-to-School night. She wouldn’t hoard supplies or snap at someone for parking in her driveway without a mask.
However, even Mama Bear has her limits. She might start to show signs of stress, like letting chores pile up or retreating into her quilting. The relentless pressure of the pandemic weighs heavily on women, and I’m not just referring to the virus itself. Women have faced disproportionate job losses due to the pandemic, with many sacrificing their careers because of childcare challenges. Reports show that women were nearly twice as likely to lose jobs compared to men, with a significant number citing a lack of childcare as the reason for unemployment.
Picture Mama Bear trying to keep her quilting business afloat during the pandemic, perhaps having to adapt to online orders after a temporary closure. She could be juggling the stress of maintaining her revenue while managing remote learning for her cubs and dealing with Papa Bear’s distractions. Her stress might lead her to snap, not merely in minor frustrations but in a complete meltdown—something far beyond the typical “Berenstain Bears and the Slumber Party” scenarios.
In this fictional version of “Berenstain Bears and The Coronavirus: Trouble in the Treehouse,” Mama Bear eventually realizes it’s okay to embrace imperfection in challenging times. She lets the messes slide, prioritizes fun over structure, and finds solace in connecting with other moms over coffee. In this new narrative, Mama Bear embraces her flaws and learns to let go of the relentless pursuit of perfection.
In summary, it’s clear that women, represented by Mama Bear, are facing unprecedented challenges during this pandemic. As we navigate the aftermath, it raises questions about how we can support each other and what the future holds for women in both the workplace and at home.
Here are some potential search queries related to this topic:
- How have mothers been affected by COVID-19?
- The role of women in family dynamics during a pandemic.
- Berenstain Bears and parenting lessons in today’s world.
- Home schooling challenges for mothers during COVID-19.
- Managing stress and mental health for moms during a pandemic.