What happened to hobbies?

[Andyvon]

I'm 45 and I just wonder what happened to the pastimes that took up our spare time as kids.

I know 'Airfix kit' became a term to sneer at but most boys built model planes, ships, tanks, cars, figures etc. We could all recognise aircraft and ships and we learned a huge amount of details about them. I progressed to drawing my own plans and making my own moulds and parts. I travelled to air shows and museums and built a large collection of books and magazies for reference. I then produced almost perfect 1/24th scale replicas that took about six months each. The sense of achievement was terrific - especially when people were stunned at the details. The wife, mortgage, business etc.

All boys and girls that we knew collected stamps. We woulkd meet and look through each other's albums and swap stamps. We all learned where countries were in the world and their capital cities, currencies, histories etc. All of that developed our interests, concentration, sense of achievement etc.

It seems that unless something is electronic, has happened on Big Brother or Eastenders or appears on a screen, then many youngsters aren't interested now. Many just seem to hang around our town in groups causing trouble and damage and we are scared of them. If you mentioned hobbies they would sneer at you - but then they say they wander around as "there's nuffink to do round 'ere". We feel like screaming "Then find something to do"!!!

Hobbies needn't cost much and they develop a sense of pride,achievement, self-respect and respect for others. It's quite obvious that has been lost to youngsters now. They just don't seem to be able to impress anyone by saying "I did or made that".

Maybe we are becoming old fogeys! I'm sure there are many wonderful kids out there who can use what nature blessed them with to fill their spare time rather than just stare at a screen. Please tell me there are!

[Daave]

airfix have shut down..

most kids say their hobbies are computer games, tv and internet..

drinking and smoking pot....

stealing cars...



i made a 3 speed gearbox out of lego when i was bout 12... not you see 12 year olds walking around in hoodies smoking in the street...


not sure where it went wrong, but it was very very recent!

[sophie_1003]

my brothers (who are now 16) used to make airfix models but by the time they were about 10 they found they were too easy and so became bored with them. Me and my brothers were always bored (I'm 19) but when I look back I think we did a lot more than some kids do...we were all into cross stitch at one stage or another, lego was brilliant as was k'nex, we made up our own imaginary games, i did collect stamps for a while but found that there were very few interesting ones i could find. me na done of my brothers went canoeing for about 2 years, i stopped because i capsized once n it really scared me! I dont think all kids hang around on the streets and those that do certainly dont all cause trouble, kids have been playing out on the streets since god knows when, its not a new phenomonen, its just the way the media portray kids today.

[shaneystar2]

My sons who are now grown men always had hobbies and still have.Woodwork and modelmaking , play football and cricket .Stamp and coin collecting fell by the wayside when cars and women replaced them !.The one still at home makes models that are a work of art ..ships mostly .My dad always encouraged us to have a hobby. In fact my eldest brother who is now 75 took up woodwork as a child and has carried it on throughout his life to date, produces some wonderful pieces and is president of the crafts association in his home town in Australia.
I am never without something practical to do,knitting mostly which began as child ,drawing, cardmaking,gardening etc.
I think some things are enjoying a bit of a revival especially knitting as the celebs do it and my great niece is really keen on being taught to knit. She's all fingers and thumbs at the moment but she is getting there ! It isn't a " granny"hobby any more with all the wonderful yarn produced now and the fashion for chunky hand knits this year.

You can't beat the satisfaction of something you have made ,grown , built or cooked yourself.There are lots of things out there..music,drama,art and craft workshops....youngsters just need a nudge in the right direction and more sport should be on the curriculum in schools instead of this accent on high achievement all the time .I suppose some of them are so busy cramming their heads with facts and figures they have no time for a hobby .

On the other hand there are those whose parents could not care less and they are let to roam the streets causing trouble .It's a shame because there is probably a lot of untapped talent there.

[RATTER15]

It appears that the things we used to do as kids are now considered "not cool" its a lot more cool to be seen bumming around the town with nothing to do.

Ive heard adults saying its not their fault there is nothing for kids to do!! We made our own amusements!! yes we got int a bit of trouble sometimes as well, but not mugging people or drinking ourselves into a stupor and stealing cars etc!! I had a few smacks around the ear by a friendly copper, didn't dare tell my Dad coz he would have given me another one, lol.

[Andyvon]

Thanks everyone - great answers!

It does seem that hobbies and pastimes are for older people who continue them through life like your family Shaneystar. I agree with you too though Ratter as they are seen as 'uncool' today. It seems that younger people have lost the ability to find something to do. If it isn't presented to them then they are lost - sad really.

All the best!

[Matheous]

shaneystar2 -I agree with your last paragraph....Too many parents are apathetic toward their children (and themselves) -as long as their kids are 'out-of-their-hair' eg. in the streets causing havoc to other neighbours while they spend OUR money that we work for on booze & ciggy's in front of the TV. Untapped talent I'm sure is in abundance....

Never before has there been so much choice for the youth of this country in what they could do with themselves.....

I have thought for a considerable number of years that in this life among some other things- two are essential. One is a hobby requiring enthusiasm that is sustainable regardless of physical capability. The other is a life-long friend or friends.....

[Andyvon]

I couldn't agree more Matheous and thank you for your answer.

I feel that most people should have something in which they can lose themselves for a while. I would go so far as to say I think it is a necessity in keeping some degree of sanity! It is particularly important for youngsters I feel, as hobbies and pastimes also develop various abilities such as concentration, learning and a sense of participation and achievement.

I'm sure there are many kids who don't waste their time and the gifts they have, but I also think it's true to say that many do. I have some real concerns when I wonder who will be the future managers, teachers and leaders of this country.

[Alltorque]

Building plastic scale models is still a big thing, (ditto, aircraft, ships, military eqpmnt, railways etc etc). There are lots of very good websites covering all these topics and today's models and modellers are truly excellent. Have a look here for UK-based site on cars/motorbikes.

www.spc.org.uk/

Yes, Airfix has gone but they left an enormous legacy. Look up Tamiya, or Hasegawa or, if you want to see the best in car modelling - at 1/8 scale, go Googling for Pocher at :

www.scaleautoworks.com/

Enjoy, there's lots of us still builfing and many younger folk starting, but it's a whole lot more sophisticated now and having just retired I count myself as back to beginner class.