Germany's family-friendly museums

It's the first real day of spring in Düsseldorf. Even though it would be tempting to spend the afternoon in the sun, the guided tour of the exhibition "MAMA. From Maria to Merkel" at the Kunstpalast is fully booked.

This is no ordinary tour.

It's called "Art with Baby" and it's exclusively conceived for parents with babies. The participants are easy to spot: They're pushing strollers, carrying baby slings or breastfeeding during the tour.

Are babies otherwise unwelcome in museums?

"Have you ever been on a tour like this one?" asks art historian Bettina Zippel, who is leading the group through the exhibition today. "No, it was always fully booked," replies one mother. The others immediately agree. There should be more tours like this, they say. Many booked this one months in advance; some even traveled from other cities to participate.

The tour has been offered at the Kunstpalast Düsseldorf for 10 years now. It was initiated by art historian Carola Werhahn, who was already familiar with the concept from her hometown, Cologne.

Back when she was living there, she took her newborn daughter on such tours at the Museum Ludwig and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum — and ended up leading some herself. When she moved to Düsseldorf, she established the format there as well.

"I think it's great when, as a new mother, you can do something for your mind," says Werhahn.

Tours like this exist not only in German cities, but all over the world, from Orange County to São Paulo to Vienna. They are proof that for many mothers, this feels like a safe space they need.

The theme of today's exhibition, appropriately enough, is (non-)motherhood. A neon "MAMA" glows in orange capital letters on a pink background above the entrance. The title of the show, "MAMA. From Maria to Merkel," hints at the diversity of the 120 exhibits.

There are many aspects to motherhood, and it concerns everyone; after all, everyone has a mother. The exhibition, curated by Linda Conze, Westrey Page and Anna Christina Schütz, addresses care work, abortion, the unfulfilled desire to have children, mother-child relationships and stereotypes.

Barbie's pregnant friend Midge

One example: As part of its "Happy Family" series, Barbie manufacturer Mattel released a pregnant version of Barbie's friend Midge. But in 2002, "Pregnant Midge" was pulled from store shelves. Too many customers had complained that she looked like a single mom and that the toy was glorifying teen pregnancy.

Mattel then launched a new version of Midge, now wearing a ring on her finger. Her husband, Allan, and son, Ryan, were also included in the package. The "Happy Family" toy set is now on display at the Kunstpalast Düsseldorf and serves as a reminder of how difficult it is to break away from traditional family models.

This is also evident through the exclusively female participants of the tour; not one father participated that day. But the mothers present were particularly enthusiastic about the less traditional exhibits. For example, those addressing abortion, queer and diverse families, or breastfeeding in public spaces.

And speaking of breastfeeding: The tour also clearly demonstrates society's ambivalent attitude toward mothers and children in public spaces. "It's relaxed because you know you're not disturbing anyone," says Julia, for example, with her red-haired newborn in her arms. Another mother agrees, saying she wouldn't just walk into an exhibition with her baby, fearing she could disturb other art lovers.

Breastfeeding as an indicator of social acceptance

There is still no scientific evidence on the extent to which mothers with babies feel unwelcome in public spaces. But surveys on breastfeeding in public provide some insight.

According to a 2022 study published in the German academic journal Federal Health Bulletin, although more and more mothers in Germany are now breastfeeding in public spaces, around 40% of the women surveyed reported having experienced mixed reactions while nursing their baby — primarily disapproving looks. Around a quarter of these women also had to deal with criticism or even insults. 

Breastfeeding in public is not explicitly permitted by law in Germany, unlike in Great Britain or Australia, for example.

Another exhibit demonstrates that mothers are still expected to submit to countless social expectations: a three-meter-high bookshelf filled with "Handbooks for Mothers" and manuals on motherhood. Perhaps some fathers might be piqued to leaf through them too. 

This article was originally written in German.