DIY
Lauren Liess, a popular local designer/blogger, renovated her entire house in six months for £22,000 by doing most of the work herself with the help of her husband. Her husband, Dave holds Justin as Christian peeks over her shoulder in their living room/dining room on Wednesday, June, 29, 2011 in Herndon, VA, United States. Getty Images

Despite the decline in DIY being blamed on the decrease in home ownership, research by the Telegraph claims the demise comes because, "today's 20- and 30-somethings don't seem to possess your traditional dad skills."

In an age where we're expected to Hoover, iron, change nappies, make a woman climax for four hours like Sting and cook like Jamie Oliver, old-fashioned pursuits like DIY have become quaint, self-indulgent and almost shameful.
- Martin Daubney, the Telegraph

Recently, Homebase announced that they are shutting down a quarter of their UK stores as a result of, "a generation less skilled in DIY projects."

Despite UK's DIY sector being valued at £7.3 billion per year –the value is the lowest the sector has seen since 1999.

If the trend continues at its present 13% decrease per annum, the DIY sector will eventually disappear by 2040.

"The dismal fact that a mere five per cent of 18-24s would attempt to unblock a sink doesn't bode well for humanity – unless you're a plumber. DIY used to make us feel manly," said Martin Daubney of the Telegraph.

Related

Daubney adds that previously, "we'd chuck on a tool belt, press our power drill's trigger – perhaps while even growling – and feel the testosterone course through our veins. The trouble is, being a man – in the old-fashioned sense – is deeply unfashionable, naff almost, these days."

Daubney claims the changes come as more and more men are urged to be less sexist, and in the process of being equal to women, "what's left of men is, arguably, sexless."

"In an age where we're expected to vacuum, iron, change nappies, make a woman climax for four hours like Sting and cook like Jamie Oliver, old-fashioned pursuits like DIY have become quaint, self-indulgent and almost shameful," said Daubney.

The reverse roles don't just bring implications for men, as Daubney addresses the women of the present generation, saying: "Women decry us for not being able to wire a plug like our dads, but can – or would – they cook a cracking apple crumble like their mums? No, they'd rather watch some bugger else do it on the Great British Bake Off, then go to M&S – just like we'd rather watch Grand Designs, then pay a Polish geezer to do our wallpapering."

An interesting study by sociologists at the University of Washington has also suggested that couples where the men and women returned to their traditional gender roles at home, reported greater sexual frequency.

"So there you have it: with DIY you're screwed if you do it, and screwed if you don't," said Daubney.