TW: sexual assault and violence
A debate has sparked chatter on social media, which puts a spotlight on the perceived safety of women in this world.
In a video posted by Screenshot HQ on TikTok, they asked the question, “Would you rather be stuck in a forest with a man or a bear?”
@screenshothq The question of being stuck in a forest with a man or a bear is circulating on TikTok right now and sparking some interesting conversation…. we know what our answer would be 🐻🌳 #manvsbear #tiktok #tiktoktrend #trending #challenge #streetinterview #voxpop ♬ Terror Music (Scary Song) – IMPERIUM RECORDS
They asked several women about the scenario with most of them stating that they prefer to be stuck with a bear.
One of the women said, “Bear. Man is scary.”
“Well, I’ve heard about bears, they don’t always attack you, right?” another woman stated. “Unless you like f— with them. So maybe a bear,” she added.
“Depends on what… but probably a bear,” a respondent answered.
“Oh, 100% a bear, which is terrifying to say,” another woman said. “Definitely a bear. Some men are very scary out there,” she added.
Since the video went viral online after being posted, it has sparked a discussion about the real challenges women face in terms of their safety.”
People took to the comments to share their insights about the hypothetical question.
It also prompted some social media users to post memes.
This debate does not aim to shame men but rather uses the analogy in order to help men further understand the extent of women’s feelings of insecurity, and heightened awareness for the possibility of experiencing sexual assault or exploitation.
Unfortunately, this did not sit well with some people (a lot of them presumably men), who immediately jumped into the conversation with some of them scarily posing threats of violence against women for not choosing them. Aside from that, they mocked women by sharing memes of women being savaged, ripped apart, and being eaten by the bears.
@make8591 #fypシ #bear #wouldyourather ♬ original sound – B1gBruh
Can’t believe how many brain dead people there are #manvsbear #man #bear pic.twitter.com/rIQXOLb37w
— CheWick (@CheWick_Builds) May 4, 2024
@abit_.artys Tbh getting mad over it, just adds proff a bear would be better… anyway i rushed so this is kinda sh!ty #fyp #bear #bearoveraman #drawing #real #artist #idkanymore ♬ alkuperäinen ääni – Miss Bloomie
@madonnaragu69 Walkin in reverse lol #fyp #bearorman #man #woman #forest #nightcore #nature #fyp #fym #fy #fyy #fypシ #fyp ♬ original sound – iSkilton
@governor_wood_bury #Meme #MemeCut beg the bear💀#begthebear #real ♬ Middy Titty – Slowed + Reverb – Paulie Leparik
SpeechProf posted a video in response to the woman connecting this debate to the Timothy Treble case. He shared an analogous story on how the case of Angela Tramonte relates to the Man vs. Bear discourse as the man told her to go back alone since he wanted to finish the hike. He pointed out that it is absurd to use the Timothy Treble case as an example as to why women should be choosing the man over the bear.
Heated debate aside, this concept has led to a thought-provoking conversation about violence against women and the possibility that danger does not always present itself as an animal lurking in the woods.
This hypothetical question continues to elicit debates and deep discussions about current social issues, and as of date, continue to be a moral battleground for both sides.
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