[QualityContract]

A new generation of 'techno-sexual' men is to blame for the demise in basic home maintenance and DIY skills, with men preferring to nurture their technological prowess rather than learn to fix a dripping tap - according to a new study* for AA Home Emergency Response.

Research findings

The researchers found that in the 1970s 71% of men learnt DIY and home maintenance skills from their fathers. By 1990 this had fallen to 67%.

The boom in technology in the 1990s saw the interest in learning DIY wane even further, dwindling to the current level of 44%.

The AA has predicted that based on the current rate of decline, by 2030 just one in five men will receive basic DIY knowledge from their father.

If the trends continues, home maintenance skills could be on the road to 'extinction' by as early as 2048, resulting in a nation of 'no can do' homeowners.

Asked about the last time they faced a DIY challenge, a stark difference appeared between the generations:
• 73% of 55 to 65 year olds were able to do the job themselves
• 55% of under 35s said they could do the job
• Only 32% of under 25s said they could

Taking advantage?

As well as carrying out their own home repairs, fathers are seeing their offspring take advantage of their expertise – 27% of under 25s called in dad to solve their latest DIY problem.

What do you guys think about this?

You can read the rest of the article here:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/news/home-emergencies-diy-skills-to-become-extinct.html

 

[fourcornerhome]

You can find how to fix damn near anything on the internet....
There is really no need to know how to fix a leaky faucet until it leaks.

 

[Xtrememtnbiker]

I say it goes up cause of the internet.

 

[Jaws]

Internet helps. I know chit about fixing most equipment, the internet makes it possible. Lol

 

[Leo G]

That's great. They'll all need expensive contractors to do the work for them.

 

[Xtrememtnbiker]

That's great. They'll all need expensive contractors to do the work for them.

Sounds good to me. :thumbsup:

 

[The Coastal Craftsman]

The problem is there's a lot of people who think they can do it and only a handful who can.

 

[Leo G]

I'll only be 86 by then. Hope I'm retired.

 

[jb4211]

You can find how to fix damn near anything on the internet....
There is really no need to know how to fix a leaky faucet until it leaks.

Ssshhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
WTF, I just did that for someone two days ago.

 

[tenon0774]

What I got stuck on, in your post was the word:

Learnt.

Maybe that was in a link to your thread?

After I read that, all the numbers seemed to wash over me as if they had no meaning at all.

Call me an a$$ for pointing it out,

If the spelling is suspect, what does that say about the numbers?

 

[tenon0774]

Internet helps. I know chit about fixing most equipment, the internet makes it possible. Lol

Only if you have an intermediate level of mechanical skill...

Then yes!

You can do anything!

 

[91782]

What I got stuck on, in your post was the word:

Learnt.

Maybe that was in a link to your thread?

After I read that, all the numbers seemed to wash over me as if they had no meaning at all.

Call me an a$$ for pointing it out,

If the spelling is suspect, what does that say about the numbers?

ASS it is. Form (used mostly by the Brits). Get out more, see the world...

 

[avenge]

The problem is there's a lot of people who think they can do it and only a handful who can.

Same goes for contractors.

What I see happening is the DIYers might be decreasing but they're not necessarily hiring contractors. They're hiring, the neighbor, a family member, a fireman, policeman, etc. or another DIYer.

 

[EmmCeeDee]

You might also be seeing life experience at work. Those 25-year olds, living in apartments will buy houses by the time they are in their 40s. Once they realize just how much fixing up their house will cost the DIY gene kicks in and they are on the learning curve.

Three years ago my kid brother needed detailed advice on how to install a 3' piece of base in his bathroom. Two years ago he bought a decrepit row house and he had since (kinda) learned how to demo, paint and tile.

 

[tenon0774]

ASS it is. Form (used mostly by the Brits). Get out more, see the world...

Sorry, my "American exceptionalism" got
In the way.

I understand our grammar has been "worlds apart".

Hmmm.

Maybe I should get out more.

 

[tenon0774]

I'll only be 86 by then. Hope I'm retired.

Hope I'm on the dark side of the grass by then, or at least, fishing everyday.

...at my 86;

Not Leo's 86.

I'll be 74 and all this chit won't matter to me.

Not to be selfish about it, but at that stage of my life I'm gonna be selfish about it.

Hmm.

So that means I have a good 20 years to pass on what I've learnt.

(still feels like weird to me)

...cause it's WRONG!

 

[Leo G]

I'll be dead 2 years after. 84-88 is how my genes run.

 

[tenon0774]

I'll be dead 2 years after. 84-88 is how my genes run.

When I get to 68, I might not remember anything beyond that.

Genes!

Scary chit!

 

[Easy Gibson]

Most of my handyman work is for people in my age group(early 30s).

Here are some highlights:

1. "My door handle is stuck and always locks me out." It was one of the old style locks with the two push buttons. Somebody pushed the button.

2. "My sink is broken. I need to have it replaced." They had their plumbing serviced recently. There was some crud in the filter of the faucet plugging it up.

3. "The door to my shed is broken. Can you tell me if it needs to be replaced?" It was a double door that had an adjustable strike plate. Nobody adjusted the strike plate.


There's so many more but I'm pretty tired and can't think of any others that I've fixed with a Leatherman or less. The push-button lock one was hilarious. One of my favorite customers. "You can NOT tell my wife this happened. Swear to me!"

 

[Robie]

I'll be dead 2 years after. 84-88 is how my genes run.

Less for me....