A recent viral trend has sparked an intense debate on social media: would you rather encounter a bear or a man while alone in the woods? Surprisingly, many women—and even some men—have chosen the bear. The question, “Would you rather meet a bear or a man in the woods?” went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms earlier this year. Many women expressed a preference for encountering a bear, citing fears of violence and assault by men. This discussion gained traction with videos, comments, and discussions explaining why a bear seemed like a safer option.

I asked a group of women and men in my workplace, and 100% of the women chose the bear. Some of the men initially chose another man, but upon further reflection, they also decided to choose the bear. So, the question is, why?

Why women choose the Bear

Many women cited their fear of potential violence from men, including sexual assault, as a primary reason for choosing a bear. The unpredictability of male behaviour and the prevalence of gender-based violence make the idea of encountering a random man particularly frightening. ​Bears, while dangerous, are seen as more predictable. Their actions are driven by instinct rather than malice. Women feel they can better understand and potentially avoid provoking a bear, whereas men’s intentions are less certain. Women have learned to navigate a world where they must constantly be on guard against male aggression. This “safety work” involves making daily decisions to avoid harassment or abuse, contributing to their preference for the bear in the hypothetical scenario​.

Why some men also choose the Bear

Men are often victims of violence by other men. This includes physical assaults and other forms of aggression, making the idea of encountering a random man potentially dangerous for them as well. Social norms around masculinity can pressure men to exhibit dominance and aggression. This creates environments where men might feel the need to be constantly vigilant against potential threats from other men. Like women, men can find other men unpredictable and, therefore, threatening, especially in isolated situations. This unpredictability can make a bear, whose behaviour is instinctual, seem like a safer encounter​.

What if the scenario was a woman or a bear?

Statistically, women are less likely to commit violent crimes compared to men. This perception of lower threat levels influences people’s comfort levels when encountering women rather than men in isolated situations. While bears are wild animals and inherently dangerous, women are generally not perceived as a physical threat in the same way. The immediate association with bears involves potential physical harm, whereas the association with women doesn’t invoke the same level of instinctual fear. The concept of toxic masculinity suggests that men are more likely to exhibit aggressive and dominant behaviors, increasing their potential threat level. This doesn’t typically apply to women, further reducing the perceived risk of encountering a woman over a bear.