This just in: Bears suffer from extremely low self-esteem as a result of harassment and discrimination over their body size. They also engage in much riskier sex… At least according to a groundbreaking new “study” published by the Clinical Journal of Nursing.
The research comes from the University of Miami, where PhD in nursing student Narciso Quidley-Rodriguez and Associate Professor Joseph P. De Santis evaluated almost a dozen past studies on bear subculture in America.
Related: Do Gay People Fat Shame?
The first thing the pair determined was that the term “bear” is designed to make men with higher body mass indexes (BMI) feel better about themselves.
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“Despite the health risks that are associated with increased BMI, the promotion of certain physical appearance that includes a higher BMI is important for men who identify as bears,” the paper reads. “It helps them to recognize one another, strengthen communal bonds, and promote a gay identity that is masculine, sexual, and mature.”
They go on to say that this need for “stronger communal bonds” is the direct result of bears being shunned by the rest of gay society, which tends to idolize “young, slim, and smooth-skinned” men.
“Before discovering the bear community, members have described harassment and discrimination from both heterosexuals and homosexuals throughout their lifespan based on weight, which led to lower self-esteem,” the paper reads.
Related: Author Calls Out Gay Men For “Fat-Shaming And Negative Body Talk”
It continues: “Bear communities are pivotal for some members, offering a sanctuary for these men as a buffer against discrimination and a sense of belonging that was perceived as lacking in the mainstream gay community.”
The paper also reveals that bears engage in more a diverse range of sexual practices than other groups within the gay community, and often those practices are risky, including bareback sex, fisting, asphyxiation, voyeurism and exhibitionism.
Because of this, researchers determined, bears need better health care.
“Primary healthcare providers should assess the sexual habits of all patients and offer safer-sex education depending on the needs of each client,” the paper concludes.
Related: Dad Bods, Otters, And Bears! Oh My! The 10 Most Common Male Body Types
h/t: Star Observer
Countervail
Why do you put “study” in quotation marks? It was a study. Not a “study.” It infers it was somehow not really a study.
joeyty
If it’s true, it partly explains why they become so vicious and cliquish themselves. As a reaction. And like to pretend they’re the “manly” gays, when most are about as manly as Dom DeLuise fussing over the stove.
jdboston617
@joeyty: Dude. There are so many places to troll. Find another place to spread your disgusting comments.
joeyty
@jdboston617: Hey, I’m not the one that did the “study” that concluded this.
jdboston617
@joeyty: I actually feel really sorry for you. I’m sorry that you’re lonely or bitter or insane or a combo of all. I hope things turn around for you. Maybe then you’ll realize how hateful and purposeless posting mean, negative comments is to some people. You bring yourself down to pathetic level. It’s a shame.
joeyty
@jdboston617: No, you don’t feel sorry for me. You’re ticked off and hope I get some type of comeuppance.
Dave Downunder
I have to say that I am surprised at this studies findings. In my experience it is the slim shaved guys that take all the chems who seem to be indulging in extreme and risky sex. I can’t count the number of slim to muscled guys with shaved bodies that have asked me for bareback sex in clubs and saunas over the past 5 years or so. Some bears seem to get into as well but it is the chemmed up guys that stand out in this kind of behaviour.
Bad Ass Biker
Frankly, I call BS on this. Physically, I no way fit into the bear category, but to say that the majority of gays prefer ““young, slim, and smooth-skinned” men, is pure nonsense. Most of us who are middle aged or older are are not interested in self absorbed twinks who have little or no sexual experience, and my most satisfying exeriences have been with those in the bear community.
joeyty
@Bad Ass Biker: My greatest satisfction has been with men who were neither twinks nor bears.
LAisthebest
Maybe bears are just more honest about engaging in risky behavior than the rest.
jheryn
@joeyty: If that is your opinion of bears, tell me where you live so I can make sure never to go there.
I have lived in many places and always found the bears in every community much more accepting, pleasant and kind than any of the stereotypical gay bar/hangout scenes.
Certainly bears are less judgmental. Unless you yourself are part of your described bear culture, I would say that your comments are proof of who truly is vicious.
I fall into the “in between” category. I am not a bear and certainly not a twink. I find, in my experience, that the articles claims above are quite true.
jdboston617
@joeyty: Ticked off. Initially, it’s annoying to see hate comments, but then I realized you are (or at least your comments) are quite sad. So, yes, I do feel for you and hope you stop.
jdboston617
@Bad Ass Biker: LOL. That’s great Biker Man, but saying that most middle aged men or older are NOT interested in young, slim, smooth, etc is a joke. Because that’s not the case any where in the world! Most love younger people regardless of a person’s gender, orientation, age, etc. Sorry man. Younger muscle will always be highly sought after. That’s a fact and so what? It doesn’t mean an older person is not hot, amazing, or better at anything. All this ageism bullsh*t comes from older people just as much as younger. Stop drinking the Kook Aid
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
NOOOOOO!!? B..B..But they chomp on big manly cigars n’ everything like REAL MEN..they are the quintessence of unselfish-conscious easy masculine confidence surely?????
joeyty
@jdboston617: Actually, I do apologize if I offended you personally. I didn’t mean that as a description of every single guy who calls himself a “bear” or whatever, just a lot of the ones I’ve known. And they’re certainly not the only sub-group known for being cliquey.
joeyty
@jheryn: NYC. I can only guage them by those I’ve met here.
jdboston617
@joeyty: Thank you. Apology accepted and appreciated!
Kangol
@jheryn: In my experience, the House/ballroom people, the leather community, and activist types are the most accepting across all categories (age, race and ethnicity, body size, gender presentation, class, disability status, HIV status, etc.).
I’ve found bears to be decent for the most part, but not racially accepting everywhere (some places like New York are better than others, like northern California, or the South). The bear queens in P’town used to be very cliquish but that scene has changed for the better.
I agree about the chem crowd, though. And no, not everyone wants a smooth, skinny young twink. Been there, done that, and ask other men in general, if you have body hair, please don’t shave it off.
etseq
The “study” isn’t an actual study – it is a “literature review” of other studies, most of which are small, qualitative studies that can’t be generalized. It isn’t even a meta-analysis, which combines the raw data of several smaller studies and attempts to increase the statistical power. I’m not sure how to accurately study what amounts to a quasi-identity group such as bears, twinks, leather, etc. because those groups are so ill-defined and porous since they are based on so many socially and culturally specific factors – social attitudes towards body size vary greatly both geographically and temporally. The norms, customs, and taboos of bear “culture” can vary greatly even within a city depending on the ethos of the parties that are targeted at that market – some stress sexual role playing, which leads to replication of the very exclusionary dynamics that various gay male sex cultures that flourish in large, urban cities while others focus on non-sexual, inclusive activities and values. I am sure the authors of the paper meant well but they obviously shopped press releases to media with sensationalized claims in order to generate interest but they end up promoting stereotypes and stigma by playing into homophobic media narratives.
Poncho Sanchez
@Dave Downunder: I have to agree with ur statement, it always seemed like the circuit party twink was the most likely to indulge in drugs and risky sex….actually it’s ingrained in their culture.
Billy Budd
@etseq: You are absolutely right about the limitations of the paper. I would take the conclusions with a grain of salt. Science is the solution to the world’s problems, BUT there is good science and bad science. This paper has serious limitations and the authors should have made them very clear, instead of promoting their work on the media.
GC1985
Bears are certainly not my type, but everyone deserves to live with dignity and respect. People ought to not mistreat others (ERHM COUGH COUGH JOEYTY!). It’s ironic some in our community are mistreating some in our community, yet demand equality and justice from the rest of society. Isn’t that a tad bit hypocritical?
As far as this study, it’s really difficult to conduct a verified study on this topic.
With my own tastes, I can’t stand body hair. But that’s just me. If you like it, whatever floats your boat.
Tackle
@etseq: You are absolutely correct with regard to the study. And this “literature of review” of other small qualitative studies, which should not be generalized, but it’s done anyway, is exactly what is almost always done when it comes to race/ethnicity,and the makeup of HIV/AIDS, and other STD’s…
notevenwrong
It is simply not true that a majority of gay men prefer twinks.
If anything, I’d say a majority probably prefers jocks, not twinks. And smooth went out with the 1990s, as far as I could tell.
joeyty
@notevenwrong: “If anything, I’d say a majority probably prefers jocks,” I agree with you there. I’d say that’s the most generally desired type.
Stache
@notevenwrong: Except for those of us that are naturally smooth.