Adults dressed in military uniforms, children received toy tanks
According to an analysis by the Moneyplace service, demand for military gear in marketplaces has been steadily increasing since February and peaked in July. The most notable increase in sales came from badges. Demand for them increased 4891% in these six months. Military relations took the second place with 4386%.
The third went to t-shirts – sales increased by 1204%. Then there are the women’s military teams with 651%.
The top fifth row is occupied by military epaulets – they began to be purchased 623% more often.
Demand for other military equipment also increased. For example, children’s military costumes for girls (333%), military equipment toys (187%), Lego military sets (138%), military sets for boys (120%), military berets (177%), and hats (341%) ).
“Fashion has been around for a long time”
As family psychotherapist and child psychologist Natalya Naumova noted, the fashion for military clothing in Russia has not appeared now.
“As patriotic education events have become massive across the country, interest in military themes and clothing has naturally increased. The fashion for military clothing appeared a long time ago, but now, when the special operation in Ukraine began, people’s emotional involvement increased, which caused the same high interest that we saw, ”explains the psychologist.
Naumova believes that people are more concerned about their future and the future of their loved ones, especially if there are soldiers in the family. Therefore, the level of anxiety among the population increased, and military-style clothing became a source of reassurance. When people are in a near-military situation, those same kids start playing military toys and adults massively buy and dress up gear.
“This way, people relieve their fears, when the person ‘loses’ some kind of scenario they become calm and determined, and their anxiety level decreases,” says the family therapist.
Will lids and toy tanks help the kids?
Special ops are underway, and kids are getting tons of information from everywhere, including the people most authoritative for them—parents and teachers, Natalia Naumova emphasizes.
“Even at the playgrounds, children talk about what is going on in Ukraine. And they are left with many questions that increase anxiety. But neither toys nor clothes will cause any trauma to the child’s psyche, but on the contrary, they will help to look at the situation differently and calm down, feel protected, ”says the child psychologist.
According to him, every time the world was restless, children began to actively simulate military operations in games, repeating the actions of adults, and this helped them gain stability.
“There is a threat that exists now, but there is the possibility of danger. It is only important to adapt to the situation, in terms of the possibility of danger. Adults help themselves, for example, by buying badges and ties, but in the case of children, parents need to form their correct perception of the situation. Buying military Lego or costumes for them can help. “Children’s games in the game of war will also relieve anxiety,” explains the psychotherapist.
She also believes it’s important to let the child talk and be able to ask the right questions. So children will talk about their experiences and parents will be able to support, comfort and reassure them. Thus, the child will come to a calm and stable conclusion and will receive a resource to feel safe.