It's Dad's fault, says the DDIY generation

[OpenMind]

By David Derbyshire, Consumer Affairs Editor

(Filed: 11/04/2006)

Basic domestic skills that were commonplace a generation ago are vanishing, with one in four people under the age of 30 now unable to change a plug.

Blaming a lack of time and poor training from their parents, half of all young people who responded to a survey would also struggle to bleed a radiator, while 27 per cent could not sew a hem.

The skills gap means that people in their 20s are often paying tradesmen at least £1,700 a year to carry out simple household chores. Parents of grown-up children are also increasingly being called upon to fix simple problems around the home.

The DDIY (or Don't Do It Yourself) generation is exposed in a YouGov poll of 2,294 people commissioned by the insurer, Direct Line.

"Many blame their parents for their failings," said Carmel McCarthy, of Direct Line.

"Almost one in five under 30s said their parents didn't teach them basic household skills, while 10 per cent said they were simply too busy to worry about such tasks."

The survey found a huge difference between the domestic skills of the young and old. When the same questions were asked to the over-50s, just six per cent could not wire a plug, 10 per cent could not bleed a radiator and 14 per cent could not sew a hem.

The disposable nature of modern appliances means many household skills have become redundant. A couple of decades ago, few domestic appliances came with a plug. Today, almost all do.

However, there are some jobs where the young excel. When it comes to programming a video recorder, setting up a computer or assembling flat-pack furniture, the older generation lags behind.

© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2006.

[minks]

Now speaking from a Canadian point of view, I can see the truth in this as so many families no longer have a father figure contributing to the teachings of children.

[Sheryl]

hmmm how do you wire a plug. I can sew a hem, but just don't look closely may not be even. :wah:

[minks]

Sheryl wrote: hmmm how do you wire a plug. I can sew a hem, but just don't look closely may not be even. :wah:


I use a stapler on hems ahahahahaha

I think I could wire a plug as long as I paid close attention to the tear down first. hehehehehe Oooo if not I could run all the bits and pieces over to my daddy and beg hehehehehehe

[Sheryl]

minks wrote: I use a stapler on hems ahahahahaha

I think I could wire a plug as long as I paid close attention to the tear down first. hehehehehe Oooo if not I could run all the bits and pieces over to my daddy and beg hehehehehehe


I don't mess with electricity, the one and only time I did I flipped the wrong switch in the circiut breaker box. It was a hair raising expierence. :wah:

[minks]

Sheryl wrote: I don't mess with electricity, the one and only time I did I flipped the wrong switch in the circiut breaker box. It was a hair raising expierence. :wah:


ahahaha well silly you gotta unplug the plug from the wall before you attack it with a screw driver ahahahahahaha

[Sheryl]

Actually I was trying to remove an outlet. :rolleyes:

[Rapunzel]

I think you can do anything you want to, if you want to do it.

My parents never taught me a thing apart from how NOT to raise children!

I can wire a plug easily. Plugs usually come with a small diagram attached to show which wires go where. It's very easy to do. I can sew hems and buttons relatively neatly, that's just common sense. As is cleaning, dusting, hoovering, ironing and washing, etc. You just follow the instructions.

Any DIY shop will tell you how to bleed a radiator and you can buy a little box for doing it which catches all the water as well, so no mess!

I bought a book and taught myself to knit.

And a dear friend's wonderful mother taught me how to cook. Her invaluable advice was "get a good cookery book and use it like a bible!" I got a copy of the M&S book she had and copied the recipes religiously, and they're fab! Some friends of my parents said I should be on "Junior Masterchef" or whatever it's called.

If something needs doing and you can't afford to pay someone to do it - you just have to learn!

And if you mess it up this time, then you'll know better next time!

I bet they questioned live-at-home youngsters and people without kids!

When you've got kids and no money, you have no choice! You HAVE to learn!

[minks]

Sheryl wrote: Actually I was trying to remove an outlet. :rolleyes:






hehehehe ooooo my you know I would be ultra paranoid, I really would not be so brave as to attempt that feat hehehehehe

[Rapunzel]

Sheryl wrote: Actually I was trying to remove an outlet. :rolleyes:




You must ALWAYS turn the mains electricity OFF before you mess with it! :rolleyes:

Still, that's a mistake you won't make again, huh? :wah:

[minks]

You are very right there RAP. I have learned loads since being on my own, and even if my fix it looks silly, least I did it.

[Rapunzel]

Rapunzel wrote: You must ALWAYS turn the mains electricity OFF before you mess with it! :

Still, that's a mistake you won't make again, huh? :wah:


And then you TEST that the power is OFF by turning on a lightswitch........ so you KNOW it is off!

[Rapunzel]

minks wrote: You are very right there RAP. I have learned loads since being on my own, and even if my fix it looks silly, least I did it.


That's right. And you're also justifiably proud of it! AND you don't make such a hash of it next time!

Way to go Minks! We Ladies can run the world! Who needs men? hehehehehe :wah:

[Bez]

HE HE HE...TYPICAL....blame the parents...All my kids can do some kind of DIY although my eldest son prefers to pay someone...or get me round....he hates getting his hands dirty.

There are enough books out there that will teach you just about everything you need to know....'where there's a will ther's a way' they say.

Apart from changing plugs etc I never touch electrics. I don't do plumbing either.

[minks]

Rapunzel wrote: That's right. And you're also justifiably proud of it! AND you don't make such a hash of it next time!

Way to go Minks! We Ladies can run the world! Who needs men? hehehehehe :wah:


I do:-3

[OpenMind]

Well, at least I know who to call when I need something done.:wah:

Now, who wants to come and lay some flagstones for me?:sneaky:

[minks]

OpenMind wrote: Well, at least I know who to call when I need something done.:wah:

Now, who wants to come and lay some flagstones for me?:sneaky:


do they weigh more then me?? Then the answer is NO.

[OpenMind]

minks wrote: do they weigh more then me?? Then the answer is NO.


I hope they do. Otherwise, how am I going to swing you above my head when you get here?:sneaky:

[minks]

OpenMind wrote: I hope they do. Otherwise, how am I going to swing you above my head when you get here?:sneaky:


eeeek ahaha ok pal keep hefting those stones around and you will be strong enough ahahahahahaha:D