Would you choose a man or a bear?
It seems like everyone on social media is asking this question right now, but where did it come from and what does it mean?
Well, it’s very simple.
This hypothetical question has flooded TikTok and elsewhere as a way to highlight women’s experiences and spark conversations around the concept of risk.
This question was first asked on TikTok by Screenshot HQ and has since received over 14 million views, and it said: “Would you rather be stuck in the woods with a man or a bear?”
Earlier this month, the news organization asked women on the streets of Britain to indicate their preferred choices in a theoretical scenario.
@screenshothq A question about being stuck in the woods with a man or a bear is currently going viral on TikTok and is sparking some interesting conversations…. We know what the answer will be 🐻🌳 #manvsbear #tiktok #tiktoktrend #trending #challenge #streetinterview #voxpop ♬ Terror Music (Scary Song) – IMPERIUM RECORDS
When faced with the decision of whether to be trapped by a man or a bear, the women on TikTok had some very interesting reactions, but they all seemed to be on the same page.
They mostly said they supported being stuck in the woods with the bears, and some didn’t need much time to think about their answer.
“Bears. Men are scared,” one woman responded in a short video.
Another replied, “It depends on the content, but it’s probably a bear.”
A third person replied: “I’ve heard of bears, but bears don’t always attack, right? Unless you like being with them. So maybe it’s a bear.”
Another woman said: “Oh, it’s 100% a bear. It’s scary to even say that,” adding: “It’s definitely a bear.” There are some very scary men in this world. ”
Since the video went viral, hundreds of other people have asked their friends, partners, and family members online, and their responses highlight the reality of the challenges women face when it comes to their safety.
TikToker @anaidmargo recently talked about how this hypothetical question raises broader issues of support and victim blaming that many women encounter, especially when it comes to allegations of assault and battery.
“I asked my sister-in-law about this. I asked her because, you know, I just wanted to laugh,” she explained.
“She said, ‘I’d rather be with the bear, because if the bear attacks me and I get out of the woods, people will believe me and pity me.’
“But if a man attacks me and I get away with it, I’m going to spend my life trying to get people to believe me and feel sorry for me.”
“And when I heard that, I was speechless.”
@anaidmargo Would you rather be trapped in the forest with a bear or with a human?
♬ Original song – Diana
So we want to know. Would you rather be stuck in the forest with a man or a bear? Let us know your answer on Instagram or Facebook.
