New Italian American Fathering in the Time of the Gig Economy: The Case of <i>The Bear</i>

Abstract The Bear (2022–) is an award-winning comedy drama focusing on Carmen Berzatto, a young and talented chef de cuisine who returns to his hometown of Chicago to revitalize his late brother Michael's sandwich joint. Carmen is characterized as a fatherly figure, thus creating an extended family out of the kitchen staff of The Original Beef of Chicagoland. Therefore, the show challenges traditional depictions of father figures grappling with economic precarity and evolving gender dynamics. This article considers fathering practices in The Bear in relation to the evolution of Italian American masculinity, emphasizing how paternal subjectivities are reshaped by the impact of neoliberal capitalism. The concept of “ethnic intimacy” is explored within the kitchen setting, where diverse characters create a surrogate family through shared values and cultural practices. Ultimately, the article suggests that the show offers a nuanced perspective on contemporary fatherhood, ethnicity, and the search for belonging in a globalized world.