Quadrobers: is this hobby dangerous?

Who are quadrobers and should we sound the alarm? Psychologists explain.

New subculture

Last year, another topic for heated discussions appeared on social networks – the quad. This is a subculture that is gaining momentum among children and teenagers. The main trick is wearing masks and costumes, and imitating the habits of animals as much as possible.

At first glance, what’s unusual about this? As children, many of us imagined ourselves as cats, horses and puppies. But(!)… Sometimes quadrobers go beyond the game. They can, for example, attack passers-by or real animals.

So is there a line when Quadrubbing turns from innocent childish fun into deviant** behavior? Edition “Championat” tried to find out this from psychologists.

Meet the quadrobers

In Russia, quadrobers have gained enormous popularity. This hobby is popular with children and teenagers. A unique feature of this subculture is dressing up in costumes and imitating animals. The name “quadrobers” comes from the word quattuor (four) and “aerobics”.

They are often confused with the furry subculture*. However, there is a difference between them. Quadrabers don't just wear suits. They copy the habits of animals: growl, bark, run and move on all fours in the fresh air.

A little history

Quadrabics are not a new phenomenon. Initially, this is a sports direction that originated back in the 2000s.. Its founder is considered to be the Japanese sprinter Kenichi Ito, who was fond of running on all fours. In 2008, he completed the 100-meter dash in just 18.58 seconds. Since then, the sprinter has received the nickname Man-Ape. Seven years later, Ito broke his own record, running the distance in 15.71 seconds.

In 2020, more and more people began to imitate animals. The trend has spread thanks to social networks. Teenagers began to identify themselves with different animals, copying their habits and behavior. In Russia, people started talking about the trend in 2024.

Appearance – what quadrobers look like

The main element of the image is the masks; they are often made as realistic as possible. The masks imitate the heads of foxes, cats, dogs, lions and other animals. They depict eyes, nose, ears, and sometimes even wool is glued on.

In addition to masks, quadrobers wear separate elements of the costume. For example, a tail or paws. The appearance of teenagers who are fond of quadratics resembles the color of animals. Gray, white, red and brown shades are often used. Quadrobers even have their own anthem:

Scandals

The hobby for quads seems harmless. However, this hobby raises questions among many people. Some are asking to ban the quad. The fact is that on social networks you can find videos of teenagers in animal masks running on all fours, eating food from bowls and even throwing themselves at passers-by. It also happens (caution, profanity):

However, a real scandal broke out in Russia in September, during a performance by singer Mia Boyka. Then a little girl wearing a cat mask was brought onto the stage. Boyka began asking the child about her passion for quads and making fun of her in front of a crowd of fans.

The video clip was published on TikTok and received more than seven million views. In the comments, users condemn the singer for bullying and worry that this situation could traumatize the child. Artists Yegor Creed and Klava Koka spoke out in defense of the girl. The head of the Safe Internet League, Ekaterina Mizulina, said that she had filed a complaint against the singer with the prosecutor's office.

Child and family psychologist Kristina Egorova says:

“Each time period has its own subcultures. At the moment it is a quad. The controversy surrounding it does not subside. Adults wonder why children engage in quad training and whether such a hobby can have consequences. Let's figure it out.”

Why do children imitate animals?

For young children, there are practically no boundaries between fantasy and reality: the leading activity for preschoolers is play, and to make it interesting, imagination comes to the rescue.

When a child gets on all fours, he can automatically turn into a dog or cat. He begins to adopt the habits of animals. For example, bringing a toy to the “owner” or purring around the legs. If a child puts on an animal outfit, he will plunge even deeper into a fantasy world where everything is possible.: Pets talk, magic is real, and fears can be conquered.

Imagine a little girl who finds it difficult to be the first to approach and make acquaintances on the playground. Think about the boy who thinks there is a monster living under his bed. Once children put on the mask of an animal they admire, they can suddenly become strong, powerful animals who are not afraid of anything.

Such transformation gives the child a sense of control over his fears and helps him express emotions. Often at this age it is difficult for him to realize them or voice them in words. At such moments, the child finds himself in a fictional reality where he can be anyone. Then this place becomes a symbol of freedom and strength. Through play, children discover new things, learn to interact with others and experience their emotions, and explore the world from a different perspective.

Quadrabics is another phenomenon that at a young age becomes an essential part of psychological and emotional development. After all, in order to play such a game, children need to figure out who they will be, a plot, costumes, and agree on the rules.

Each time the script changes, the characters immerse the child in a world where he gets acquainted with new behavior patterns and character traits. Also With the help of such a game, children learn to build relationships. They explore the desires and needs of other participants, as well as ways of experiencing their body and space.

What about teenagers? Why do they imitate animals?

The child grows up, and the harmless game of dressing up as an animal can take on a completely different character. This behavior is often a way of escaping reality, escaping from problems that he cannot cope with.

The most important goal of adolescence is the search for oneself, in which a person learns and compares himself with others. Imagine a teenager who is filled with loneliness, frustration and disappointment. He does not feel supported by his parents, and he has no friends at school with whom he could spend time.

In such cases creating an image becomes for a teenager a form of protest or an attempt to express his inner experiences. He may begin to identify himself as a lone wolf who wanders the forest, relying only on his own strength. In such a role, the teenager will feel free from social norms and expectations that burden him.

How the new subculbura affects children and adolescents

This phenomenon has both positive and negative sides. Kvadrobika can have a good effect on someone, children and teenagers purchase:

• stimulating creativity and imagination;
• the appearance of friends who are ready to help;
• developing empathy and understanding that all people have the opportunity to express themselves;
• strengthening self-confidence through manifestation both in the community and on social networks, as well as in competitions.

It happens that the behavior of children and adolescents begins to go beyond the limits. For example, they begin to scratch like cats, bite like dogs, and even eat food from a bowl on the floor. Why does this behavior occur?? The psychologist explains:

1. The boundaries between real and imaginary life are blurring. That is, the child does not understand that his behavior may at one time or another not correspond to the norms.
2. This subculture is subject to ridicule and misunderstanding from peers and even adults. In a protest format, teenagers and children may behave incorrectly.
3. Identifying oneself with an animal extends into real life. A child cannot live without a beast mask, because only with it does he feel strong and confident.

Reasons for deviant behavior

No matter how old the child is, parents need to “keep their finger on the pulse.” If a child understands why he is doing quads, what gives him such a hobby, then he can calmly be allowed to develop in this direction.

When there is cause for alarm

If the question “why do you want to do quad training?” no clear answer is received, you understand that the behavior is beginning to worsen. Initially, it is important to understand what problems the child or adolescent has. They need to be resolved calmly, with your family, or with the help of a child psychologist. Problems that can encourage a child to engage in deviant behavior:

• family problems;
• loss of a loved one;
• peer relationships, such as bullying;
• problems at school with teachers;
• abusive relationships;
• performance at school or in sections;
• the desire to meet someone's expectations;
• the Internet, where through social networks they can propagate that deviant behavior is normal.

Does infatuation have consequences?

Any subculture can be dangerous for a child and teenager. Kvadrobika is no exception. If you do not notice “alarm bells” in your child’s behavior in time, this can lead to:

• isolation;
• depression;
• mental illnesses such as dissociative identity disorder or BPD.

However, these are extremes, so to speak, extreme options for the outcome of events. It is important to talk with your child and observe his behavior in order to prevent this from happening. The most important thing: if a teenager goes beyond the limits in the process of exploring himself, parents must definitely come to his aid.

*Furries are fans of anthropomorphic animals. In other words, representatives of this culture associate themselves with fictional and humanized animals, giving them the intellectual qualities of people, and create fursuits (full-length animal costumes). Quadrobers focus on imitating real animals, while furries create anthropomorphic animal characters (called fursons – from the English fur – fur, person – person). They focus on art, creativity, and role-playing, giving their characters both animal and human traits.

**deviant behavior – committing acts that contradict the norms of social behavior in a particular community. The main types of deviant behavior include, first of all, crime, alcoholism and drug addiction, as well as suicide and prostitution.

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