MAN vs. BEAR

By Niya Bobban

Place yourself in a dark forest, the air heavy and still—a man and a bear stand on opposite sides. One poses a risk of causing eternal fear and emotional scars, often leaving millions with a lifetime of trauma. The other is the bear. 

TikTok creator @screenshothq posted an incredibly viral clip portraying the question of whether eight woman would rather be stuck with a man or a bear in a forest. Shockingly, 7 out of 8 women in the clip preferred the company of a bear; they mainly stemmed their beliefs from bears typically not attacking unless provoked.

As more people watched the popular video discussing this topic, they began to wonder what it meant when more women would rather confront nature's wildest creatures than their fellow humans. 

Why do they seem to trust bears more than men?

Over half of the women in America have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes. What does this reveal about women’s choices regarding men’s protection? When men are presumed to be sources of safety and security, the reality of such an eye-opening statistic raises questions about our very nature of protection in a society where fear overshadows reassurance. 

Various content creators stepped forward to explain why women feel the bear strikes as a safer companion. Yet, others mention how the debate is inherently unfair and generalizes men as a “stereotype.” Here are a few users’ opinions online to truly submerge in the widespread discussion:

“A bear won’t stop when you say “no.” Neither will a man. The difference is that bears don’t understand what “no” means, and a man does and simply chooses to ignore it.” —@crimorcus

“Women are choosing bear because the idea of being stuck in the woods with an unpredictable, strange man is more frightening than being alone with a predictable wild animal” —@leviehnrd

“Just because of the men you've picked in your life, you're going to keep comparing every man to each other. How's that fair to the good guy who just wants love and cares for a female, who will continue to pick the bear until they're in danger—then they will call a man.” —@kupid.kk

“Blaming a singular person in a group for one's action is not a correct way to go; it's equivalent to a teacher telling one student that failed the class and failing the rest of them.” —@user0161

"Not all men, but more than enough to make us feel like this." —-healthnews.com 

A TikTok trend was even created from the online phenomenon, with creators talking about their past trauma with men, arguing against the assumption that men are innately more reliable. Some creators pointed out that while a bear wouldn't rape a deceased woman, or how a man might see a situation as an opportunity rather than a threat.

While some consider TikTok content to be subconsciously harmful, posts like these have brought awareness to social issues faced in modern society. This platform has encouraged more individuals to reflect on the dreadful cases we face in the United States.

Unfortunately, these problems are not just limited to America; in some countries, women do not have representation and lack the ability to speak out against sexual violence. We must remember that the decisions we make in unserious debates could possibly diminish the voices of others; everyone should take the time to listen and understand each other's perspectives before jumping to conclusions.