A bowed barrier extends across a passageway to prevent pets or children from moving through the passageway. The bowed barrier has a barrier panel, such as a plastic sheet, and a perimeter retainer, such as foam, that extends along the left and right sides of the barrier panel. The perimeter retainer interfaces with the sides of the passageway to retain the bowed barrier in place. The stress induced in the bowed barrier panel creates a force that retains the bowed barrier in a bowed configuration across the passageway. The convex side of the bowed barrier faces a barrier area, or area where a pet or small child may be confined to. If the child or pet pushes on the convex side of the bowed barrier, the bowed barrier has increased force against the passageway, thereby preventing the bowed barrier panel from being dislodged.
