I don't know, I think it's all about survival. Since I'm a single homeowner, twice, I'm forced to know as much as I can about how things work in my house or pay to have some experience tradesman everytime something ticks or flickers.

Oddly enough, my Dad tries to help me with things when he's available (lives 1000 miles away) but for the most part I need him for a second set of hands or the physical strength he has. I think it makes him both proud and sad all at once that I'm capable.

But I can easily see where women who don't ever have the NEED to take care of the house simply don't bother learning about it.

Also, when it comes to cars. My Dad made it a point for me to know how to change a tire and jump a battery in the event that I ever needed to do those things. It was so long ago that I'm not certain I'd be able to now. That's why when my car started giving me fits it got traded in on a new problem free model.

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When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and swing.