Concern in Russia as women “lose interest” in local men: Turkey may be to blame
Russian veterans organization calls for ban on Turkish soap operas that depict “ideal men” and contribute to the country’s demographic crisis.
Turkish TV series streaming on various platforms have gained immense popularity among Russian audiences, particularly women, thanks to their narratives of heroism, romantic love, family relationships, tradition vs. modernity, power struggles, and human passions—elements that allow viewers to escape their own dramas and immerse themselves in those of others.
But something is bothering Russian men—especially the Russian Veterans Organization, which has approached national authorities to request a ban on Turkish soap operas. They argue that these series portray an unrealistic image of ideal men and are partly to blame for Russia’s demographic crisis, as, according to them, Russian women are losing interest in local men. The few men that remain, that is—while official figures are scarce, since the start of the war in Ukraine, there have been over 500,000 casualties, with Russia suffering its worst single-day loss just months ago, when 1,500 soldiers were killed.
The request was sent to the Ministry of Culture, Roskomnadzor (the state media monitoring and censorship agency), and the Parliament, where it curiously found support—though for historical rather than demographic reasons.
“The most important reason is that Turkish TV series greatly distort history. When making films about the Ottoman Empire, Turkish creators fill them with pseudo-romantic relationships instead of violence and death,” said Vitaly Milonov, a Russian lawmaker.
“These soap operas create an idealized image of men, which negatively influences how Russian men are perceived, contributing to the demographic crisis as Russian women lose interest in their compatriots and travel to Turkey. This has already led to many tragic cases,” stated Ildar Reziapov, the Kremlin-loyal director of the Veterans Organization, in a statement.
Sardana Avksentiyeva, a lawmaker from the New People Party, even called for producing Russian TV series in which Russian men are portrayed as more attractive than Turkish men.
These claims echo the “incel” (involuntary celibate) subculture, referring to a group of men who claim to be unable to establish romantic or sexual relationships with women despite wanting to. This online community is most commonly found in forums like Reddit and 4chan.
Increase in travel from Russia to Turkey
Travel from Russia to Turkey has seen a significant rise in recent years. In 2023 alone, Turkey welcomed approximately 5.8 million Russian visitors in just 10 months, marking a 41.36% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Antalya, one of the most popular destinations, attracted 3.3 million Russian tourists in 2023—17.5% more than in 2022. Although the numbers have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, this growth has been highly promising for Turkey’s tourism sector.
Turkish soap operas are not the sole reason behind this trend. Other factors include Western sanctions, which limit direct flights to other destinations, strong Russo-Turkish relations, which facilitate travel agreements, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has led to a severe shortage of men—many are at the front, and thousands have died in combat. As a result, many Russian women now prefer fantasy over reality.
Russia’s birth rate crisis
For years, Vladimir Putin has been fighting against Russia’s declining birth rate. Among the government’s pro-natal measures are new laws that prohibit discussing a child-free lifestyle or criticizing family life.
As of November 2023, Russia’s birth rate has reached its lowest level in 25 years, continuing a quarter-century-long downward trend. Lifestyle choices, economic conditions, and changes in personal and professional priorities play a much greater role than a trendy soap opera that has recently angered Russia’s veterans.
In the first half of 2024, 599,600 children were born in Russia—16,000 fewer than in the same period of 2023, marking the lowest birth rate since 1999. Meanwhile, the number of deaths increased by 49,000, though immigration grew by 20%. Since 2016, deaths have outnumbered births in Russia. While immigration has helped stabilize the population, the number of incoming migrants has declined due to stricter laws, fewer job opportunities, and lower wages.
One of the measures approved by the Duma is a law banning so-called “child-free propaganda”, which promotes the benefits of a life without children. Additionally, the Upper House of Parliament is expected to impose further restrictions on free speech, including banning content that promotes “non-traditional lifestyles,” same-sex relationships, and gender fluidity.
Putin’s push for a return to traditional values directly contradicts the harsh reality facing Russia today.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment
Your opinion will be published with first and last names