Cub, Rusty, and "wild" animals vs. civilised animals

Probably the greatest question ever raised by this series is "why do mother/father Bear live in a civilised manner, while other animals don't?"

My theory is that in this universe, animals have the agency to choose to be civilised, but most reject this because they are animals--why should they act like humans? Hence why Cub took such offense to being called "wild," and Rusty--though he was raised to be civilised--tries to reject it and return to the roots of the wilderness. I theorise he only wears clothes around Little Bear and his family.

It is shown that most animals live like animals despite the pressure and attempt to conform to human standards. Birds, otters, Duck, Cat, NoFeet, whales, and frogs live in animal environments, though some animals--like Hen and Owl--attempt to adopt more human homes. There seems to be pressure in the woods to act human in order to avoid natural predators and be accepted. If you're wild, then you have to live in the dog-eat-dog world of the wilderness. If you act civilised, you no longer have to fear predators, but you give up your instincts. This is shown ESPECIALLY when Little Bear doesn't understand the cougar will EAT HIM in the movie. Despite being a bear, he has no instinct to run, to forage for winter, or fear his environment.

Little Bear himself has a high regard for Emily and her Granny--the only humans in the series--and seems to think of himself as more human than bear.

Owl is in conflict with the fact he is nocturnal and flies--despite the fact he CAN fly, he more often than not chooses not to.

Mitzi is another great example of this conflict. She tries to conform to human customs, but her instinct to sleep on branches override this desire, and she is seen as sad/disappointed. There is an episode where Little Bear tries to build her a treehouse and she still wants to sleep on the branches. Many, MANY episodes in the series are centered around characters and their conflict to be more human.

FOR EXAMPLE:
Princess Duck-- Duck wants to be a princess but, because she is a Duck, she can't fit in the dress-up clothes.

The Kiss/Wedding-- Skunk wants a kiss, but thinks he can never get one because he is a skunk.

Diva Hen-- Hen wants to be an Opera singer, but sounds like sh-t because she's a chicken.

Picnic on Pudding Hill-- NoFeet wants to help with various activities, but can't because he is a snake.

LIttle Bear's Tooth-- Duck can't whistle because she is a duck.


Hell, this whole series is a lot about the conflict between animals and their attempts to forgo their old instincts to be human.

I dunno, I'm probably overthinking it.

28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12 seconds. That is when the world... will end.