The days of schools providing cookery, cleaning and DIY skills are generally a thing of the past…
With many teens preparing to leave home for Uni after the summer holidays, researchers polled the nation’s parents around the top life skills they hope their offspring will be capable of, when they fly the nest.
Coming top of the list was, to keep a tidy toom, with 63 percent of mums and dads, feeling a clean and decluttered living space is the first step to independence. Other important lessons, according to mums and dads are to put away and hang up clothes (52 percent), to grocery shop on a budget (50 percent) and start a savings account (48 percent).
Shopping for bargains and having empathy for other people are also important traits, according to 43 percent of the parents surveyed. But the research, from global student housing brand Yugo, found the reality is that most teens will not learn these basic skills until they actually live on their own for a while.
Almost half (47 percent) are trying to teach their children how to do their washing, while 44 percent are showing their teens how to be mindful of their mental health. Other skills parents are keen to try and pass on to their young adults include how to shop for a bargain (44 percent), how to have empathy for others (43 percent), how to fold laundry (42 percent), how to manage their time effectively (42 percent) and how to clean the bathroom properly (41 percent).
Yet three-quarters (74 percent) of those with Uni aged children admit that their teen is currently ill-equipped for life outside of the family home, because everything has previously been done for them (46 percent), they spend too much time playing on their phone (44 percent), have never had to worry about anything (38 percent) and they spend too much time playing games online (36 percent).
As a result, unsurprisingly, one in six (20 percent) parents admit their child lacks social skills. When it comes to the life skills teens will be unable to perform on their own – changing a tyre (35 percent) and jump-starting a car (34 percent) are at the top of the list.
One in four (29 percent) believe their teen won’t be able to unclog a drain, while a further 24 percent will have trouble cleaning the oven. It’s no surprise that younger Brits ask their parents for help an average of 21 times per day.
Eight in ten (84 percent) parents whose children are going to university this September feel their child will be in for a shock when they leave home – even though they are secretly hoping it will give them a jolt to learn some life skills
Those whose teens are not going to university are hoping they will develop life skills by pursuing an apprenticeship or vocational training (37 percent), entering the workforce (35 percent), managing their own finances, and living independently (13 percent), or travelling and experiencing different cultures (seven percent).
77 percent of those polled think that they were more prepared to leave home than their own children, because they took on responsibilities earlier (60 percent), had more independence growing up (58 percent) and their expectations for independence was higher (49 percent).
Life Skills Teenagers need to learn before leaving home:
- To keep a tidy room – 63%
- To make the bed every day – 58%
- To put away and hang up clothes – 52%
- To grocery shop on a budget – 50%
- To start a savings account – 48%
- To do your own washing – 47%
- To look after your mental health – 44%
- To shop for a bargain – 43%
- To have empathy for others – 43%
- To fold laundry properly – 42%
- To have good time management – 42%
- To keep a clean bathroom – 41%
- To be resilient – 39%
- To recognise when to ask for help – 39%
- To boil an egg – 39%
- To cook a decent spag bol – 37%
- To keep on top of your bills – 37%
- To prioritise family – 37%
- To follow Google map directions – 35%
- To booking your own doctor/dentist appointments – 35%
- To iron your clothes properly – 33%
For tips and hints visit: How Prepared are Students for Life at University | Yugo
