Forest Dilemma: Women Opting for Bears Over Men for Safety
A peculiar question has been circulating on social media lately: Given the choice, would you prefer to be stranded in a forest with a man or a bear? Surprisingly, many women seem to opt for the latter. This trend gained traction after a viral interview where women unanimously chose the bear over a man. Let's delve into this intriguing topic further.
ARE BEARS DANGEROUS TO HUMANS?
The idea of being in a forest alone with a bear can be scary, and while bear attacks on humans are not unheard of, they’re quite uncommon. It can be an exciting moment to see a bear up close and have the opportunity to share their space, but make no mistake, some of them are dangerous, and the outcome will be determined by your behavior. The behavior of bears can be unpredictable because they can inflict serious injuries on humans or even cause death. There is no single strategy to emerge unscathed if you’re ever in the vicinity of a bear, but it’s possible to survive the encounter, even if you come out feeling frightened.
If you’re in the forest and you happen to see a bear, remember to stay calm and do not panic. If you have not been spotted by the bear, then it would be in your best interest to avoid an encounter. Again, it may seem cool to see one up close, but they are unpredictable, which is what makes them scary. Following viewing etiquette is the first step in avoiding an encounter that could end dangerously.
On the other hand, if the bear happens to notice you, you want to first remain calm. Then proceed to climb a rock or something to help make yourself appear bigger than the bear, but most importantly, do not run—like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Interestingly enough, even with all of this, some women are still willing to take their chances. Many women believe that if a bear catches them, then they won’t be subjected to rape followed by a gruesome death, whereas other women believe that a bear is just less likely to bother them at all, and they are not wrong.
THE DEATH OF SADE ROBINSON
On April 13, 2024, the tragic news broke of a Milwaukee man, Maxwell Anderson, charged in connection with the death of 19-year-old Sade Robinson. Anderson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and arson of property other than a building. A criminal complaint states that Anderson and Robinson met on April 1st for a first date. Following the date, Robinson was invited to Anderson's home, where he proceeded to rape her and shortly thereafter took her life. Her body parts were scattered in multiple locations, and officers are still trying to locate the rest of her remains.
According to the World Health Organization, over a quarter of women aged 15-49 years have been in a relationship and subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner at least once in their lifetime (since the age of 15). With this information and headlines speaking out about women who go missing or are harmed by their partners, it’s no wonder women are so afraid that they would rather take their chances with a bear.
Some of the comments read:
“No one is going to blame my skirt if a bear attacks me.”
“A bear doesn’t take pleasure out of hurting you.”
“Bears won’t chain me up in a basement for 20 years.”
“The bear won’t attack without provocation and even if it did, I feel the process will be faster.”
“At least the bear would leave my corpse alone.” This comment is in relation to the death of Marilyn Monroe. When Monroe was found deceased and her body removed from her home, her corpse apparently went missing. This led many to believe that her corpse was being abused by various men—necrophilia.
This video is the loudest video on the internet, and although there are thousands of views and comments, it’s not registering, as both men and women alike are still questioning the responses given by these women and an enormous number of women in the comments.
WHY WOMEN NO LONGER FEEL SAFE?
Violence against women can occur within romantic relationships, families, or even at work, but the fact remains that 1 in 6 women are victims of sexual abuse by a romantic partner as of April 2024. Not only that, but men are now advocating that they will not be keen on protecting women out of fear for their own safety. We saw this take place when women began accusing men of being “sassy” and not “protecting” their spouses or the women around them in public.
Men, of course, doubled down, stating they too have to return home to their families and would prefer not to die from a single altercation that otherwise did not require their involvement. A perfect example of this, upon my re-watching of Desperate Housewives, was when Mike Delfino, played by James Denton, stepped in to protect his neighbor, Renee, from an Italian mob boss who was threatening to kill her boyfriend and shake her down for money.
Unfortunately, Mike ended up murdered while Renee and her boyfriend went unscathed. In my opinion, Susan was not angry enough. So, while it is easy to understand why men would choose not to protect a woman who is seemingly a stranger to him, it does not negate the fact that men are now more dangerous to women overall.
In conclusion, the alarming statistics and real-life incidents discussed underscore the pervasive fear and sense of vulnerability experienced by women in today's society. From intimate partner violence to the lack of perceived protection from men, women are increasingly feeling unsafe in various aspects of their lives.
The comparison drawn between the perceived danger of bears and the perceived danger of men highlights the profound impact of this societal shift on women's perceptions of safety. As we navigate these complex issues, it becomes imperative to address and challenge the underlying attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate violence against women. Only through concerted efforts to promote equality, respect, and safety for all genders can we hope to create a society where women feel truly secure and empowered.
by Danielle Wright
