Children’s literature frequently portrays animals within the confines of neat, traditional family structures, often comprising a mother, father, and their offspring. However, a deeper examination reveals that the reality in the animal kingdom is far more diverse. According to research by Louise Gentle for The Conversation, this portrayal may inadvertently alienate children from non-traditional family backgrounds.
In the natural world, biparental care—where both a male and female animal raise their young—is primarily observed in birds, while single-parenting is much more common across various species. For instance, in many mammals, particularly leopards, the female often takes sole responsibility for raising the young. Interestingly, about 90% of mammalian species exhibit single-parent care, a dynamic not typically represented in children’s narratives.
The story of The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter does feature a single mother, yet this scenario is seldom explored in children’s books. In contrast, nature reveals that female animals frequently benefit from raising their offspring alone. For example, when a female leaves a nest to forage, the remaining young are less likely to attract predators if only one parent is present to leave scent trails.
While less common, male parenting exists in certain species. In fish and amphibians, the male may take on significant care duties. The male midwife toad, for instance, carries fertilized eggs on his back until they hatch. Similarly, Darwin’s frog holds tadpoles in its vocal sac for weeks until they are ready to survive independently.
Same-Sex Relationships and Communal Parenting
In addition to traditional and single-parenting, same-sex relationships in the animal kingdom have been documented in over 500 species, including dolphins and bonobos. Notable cases include a pair of chinstrap penguins, Roy and Silo, from Central Park Zoo, who developed a strong bond that prompted their caretaker to provide them with an egg to raise together. Their story inspired the children’s book And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson.
Communal parenting is another fascinating aspect of animal family dynamics. Species such as elephants often live in matriarchal groups where several related females and their young work together to raise the calves. This cooperative breeding allows for shared responsibilities, with grandmothers and sisters frequently assisting in nurturing and teaching the young.
In literature, examples of communal parenting can be found in adult novels like The Bees by Laline Paull, which illustrates the life of a worker bee as she cares for her hive’s young.
Fostering and Adoption in Nature
Adoption and fostering are surprisingly prevalent in the animal kingdom. A notable example is the common cuckoo, which lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving the unsuspecting hosts to raise its young. Instances of cross-species adoption have also been observed, such as a wild capuchin monkey caring for a common marmoset.
Children’s stories like The Odd Egg by Emily Gravett playfully depict scenarios where animals adopt offspring that are quite different from themselves, further demonstrating the varied nature of parenting.
Moreover, many animals form strong bonds with peers, especially among long-lived species like red deer. These bachelor herds often remain together until maturity, creating a social framework similar to human friendships. Young swifts, for example, form “screaming parties” for protection while they seek future breeding grounds.
The final parenting style observed in the animal kingdom is one that can be starkly different from human practices—no parenting at all. Many species, including certain fish and reptiles, produce large numbers of offspring that are expected to be independent from birth. In some cases, like solitary wasps, the mother provides minimal care, ensuring a food supply for the young while abandoning them to fend for themselves.
Overall, the diversity of family structures in the animal kingdom starkly contrasts the traditional nuclear family depicted in many children’s books. This rich array of parenting strategies highlights the need for children’s literature to embrace a broader definition of family. By doing so, it can create a more inclusive narrative that resonates with all children, regardless of their familial backgrounds.
