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[00:00.41] One thing we always remember from our childhood is our favourite teddy bear.
[00:05.98] This soft, ragged toy was our comfort and companion.
[00:11.56] As we grow up, we normally give up our childish ways, and our furry friend often ends up in storage or at a jumble sale.
[00:21.12] But that’s not the case for everyone.
[00:24.58] It seems that some grown-ups continue to need their cuddly toy by their sides.
[00:30.42] One sleep survey suggested a tenth of people in the UK need a teddy bear in bed. And for some adults, soft toys remain an essential presence – they take them wherever they go.
[00:45.29] A cuddly toy can come in many forms – animals, strange shapes or just a piece of stuffed material.
[00:53.26] But it’s the teddy bear in particular that seems to have an enduring appeal – it gives us a nostalgic feeling and a reminder of our younger days.
[01:04.42] Writing for the BBC, historian David Cannadine says, “Perhaps it’s that bears represent the happy security of a childhood friend who never changes or lets you down.”
[01:18.76] For whatever reason, teddies appeal to both children and adults of all ages.
[01:25.40] The teddy bear is much celebrated these days, and they’ve become something that we don’t just grow up with – people buy them as adults too.
[01:35.23] There are shops which sell only teddy bears, there are teddy bear museums in many countries, and teddy bear festivals regularly take place around the world.
[01:46.92] While our soft toys offer us a kind of comfort blanket, some experts say it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
[01:54.62] It’s sometimes good to let go of the constraints of adult life and be a big kid again.
[02:01.53] And research commissioned by Barclaycard in the UK found 44% of adults have purchased playthings they enjoyed as children because they bring back happy memories.
[02:14.28] Colouring books, cuddly toys and board games were top of the list.
[02:19.59] So, if you’re still keeping your teddy a secret, don’t worry – you’re not alone!
