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Research reveals older people have the “know how”

in
Date published: 
Thursday, October 2, 2008
News source: 
DWP
Region: 
United Kingdom

 

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On UK Older People’s Day new research reveals a rich variety of knowledge, culture and practical know how being passed down through families.

Family history, practical skills, stories and recipes top the list of hand-me-downs, with nearly three quarters (73%) of people saying this knowledge is more likely to be held by their grandparents’ generation rather than their own.

There’s an appetite to keep this knowledge alive with over three quarters (77%) of us worrying that it may die out.

For fixing, making, providing or entertaining from scratch, our older friends and relatives can be a great source of practical wisdom. Whether it’s to help throw a children's party, end our ready-meal dependency, tend an allotment or do basic DIY, over two thirds (68%) of people are keen to get their hands on this know how.

Pensions Minister Mike O’Brien is calling on younger generations to strengthen their ties with the older people in their lives.

“Swapping stories, skills and ideas across generations gives us an opportunity to discover what we all have in common and appreciate the role older people play in our lives and our communities,” he said.

Keeping it in the family

Women are the queens of hand-me-down culture with more agreeing than men that various types of family wisdom have been passed to them.

Type of knowledgeAgree passed down through
family (%)

Family history

65          61 (M)          69 (F)

Practical skills

59          56(M)          61(F)

Stories

51          48(M)          53(F)

Family recipes

49          37(M)          58(F)

Superstitions

43          34(M)          52(F)

Old wives’ tales

43          32(M)          53(F)

Knowledge of natural world

42          37(M)          47(F)

Jokes

37          37(M)          37(F)

Traditional remedies for illness

35          28(M)          42(F)

Traditional songs, music, dances

33          25(M)          40(F)

Practical wisdom

Many of us have inherited a wide range of practical knowhow, from playing traditional party games to baking, pointing to a revival in traditional home skills.

Traditional skillKnow how
to do it (%)
Play traditional party games89
Cook a roast dinner88
Bake cookies and cakes81
Grow fruit and vegetables80
Rewire a plug80
Mend my own clothes79
Play traditional card games eg, whist72
Jump start a car67
Make jams and pickles58
Hang a door55
Make curtains48
Do tapestry, embroidery or crochet46
Make my own clothes45
Make furniture from wood38
Navigate using the sun and stars31

Top motivators

When asked, more than two thirds (68%) of people said they would like to learn some of this practical knowhow. To have fun and to save money are the top two motivators showing there are financial as well as fun reasons to turn to older friends and relatives for advice. The instinct to, in turn, pass this knowledge on to our children proves a strong driver for a quarter of us.

Top reasons to learnPeople
agree (%)
For fun30
To save money26
To pass down to my children25
To have a new hobby21
To help stay healthy16
To help the environment14
To make money by teaching it5

Mike O’Brien commented: “From allotments to local choirs, shared passions help bring people of all ages together. Socialising with people of different generations can help to strengthen local communities and make sure older people aren’t isolated or excluded.”

Children’s Minister, Beverley Hughes added: “Older people and young people have much to gain from each other: older people having the chance to pass on their insight and experience and younger people engaging with and supporting older people.”

For media enquiries contact: Vicky Hatchett on 0203 267 5121 or Kathy Barlow on 0203 267 5128.
DWP Press Office: 0203 267 5144
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk

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