Youngsters lack fundamental life expertise – with many unable to cook dinner, sew or use a hammer
The startling gap between generations means pensioners put young adults to shame when it comes to everyday tasks
Young Brits have far fewer basic life skills than older folk – with many unable to cook, sew or even use a hammer, according to research(Image: Getty Images/Maskot)
Young Brits have far fewer basic life skills than older folk – with many unable to cook, sew or even use a hammer, according to research.
The startling “gumption gap” between generations means pensioners put Gen Z to shame when it comes to everyday tasks. Less than half of 16 to 24-year-olds can cook a meal from scratch compared to 80% of over-61s.
Just over a third of under-35s feel confident using basic tools like a hammer or screwdriver, while 68% of older Brits can. And only a quarter of under-35s can sew or mend clothes compared to 63% of pensioners.
Money matters are no better with just over a third of under-45s confident in creating a monthly budget, compared to 73% of over-61s.
Green fingers are also fading fast.
Far fewer under-45s know how to grow a plant or veg compared to over-61s, according to data by Sanctuary Care.
Birmingham pensioner Margaret Maclachlan, 81, is involved in a skills exchange programme with young people to help tackle the problem.
She said: “I’ve always loved music and grew up playing the piano.
“It brings me such joy.
“It gives me such a sense of purpose to share my love of music with others, especially to the younger generation.”
It comes after Nationwide research found just 9% of Gen Z have bled a radiator compared to 53% of Boomers.
But Gen Z are leading the way when it comes to investing – with more than double the number putting their cash to work investing for the future compared to Baby Boomers.
An annual study of 2,000 adults found 47% of those born after 1996 have invested their money this last year, compared with just 17% of those in their 60s and 70s.
