I think it took hold so quickly because it is a self-reinforcing cycle. Picture a well-to-do father who makes good money and spends too much time at work. He elects to outsource things like laying tile and repairing his car, because he spends little enough time with his family as it is. As a result, what opportunity do his children have to learn these things? Thus, over the course of just one or two generations, you move from "valuing your time" to "completely unable to perform repairs".
It doesn't surprise me, either. My father was very much that type of father. I luckily picked up a lot of the skills on my own volition, but already I choose to pay someone else to replace my radiator when I could do it myself, even though I am yet unencumbered by family duties.
The cycle works the other way too. I helped my dad remodel an entire three-story house, including digging foundations for an extension.
I'll be damned if I chip my nail polish on manual labor these days. Not because I'm "above it", but because I hate it with a passion. If I can pay somebody to do it for me, awesome. If they actually enjoy their work (and many contractors do), it's a win-win, as far as I can tell.
That's a really good point, not only does it not get done DIY-style, it doesn't get passed on. I think that's where the problem lies with some of my friends: they don't even realize DIY is an option because they've never known anyone to do such things. It's one thing to think "yeah, I could do it but I choose not to" (I think it myself at times), it's another to not even know that a professional is not required.
As for family time, and I say this as one without kids, if the kids are old enough I can't think of a more valuable way to spend time than teaching your kids to build something.
I can't think of a more valuable way to spend time...
Well, this firstly requires the kid is interested, secondly that the task at hand is approachable by a kid (e.g. painting instead of transmission work), and thirdly that you have the time to tutor them while you make the repairs.
Not to say it should not be done, oh no! But it is not always an option.
You can simplify this further: we are all hard pressed for time in the modern first-world, it's likely the most valuable thing in your life, even for kids and non-breadwinners.
I feel that the lack of free time is attributable to a large number of "ills" for society, from the lack of participation in civic duties, to lower voting rates, etc, etc.
Eh, kids generally have plenty of free time (unless they are entrenched in a family that demands the utmost academic achievement). I distinctly remember describing to my father plans that I ran to convert my free time to money. He cautioned me about the value of free time, but as I told him- at the time, I had plenty of time to give.
It's actually quicker to replace the radiator yourself than it is to make an appointment, somehow get your car that may or may not be drivable to the shop, scrounging for a ride home, scrounging for a ride back, waiting, waiting, ...
Just remember to let your car cool off before trying to replace it. Made that mistake a couple times!
At the time, I had no good place to perform the job, my local store needed to order the radiator but the shop had one on-hand, and I had an impending house move that weekend. It was also due for an oil change, and I had a coupon to get that done at below-cost.
It doesn't surprise me, either. My father was very much that type of father. I luckily picked up a lot of the skills on my own volition, but already I choose to pay someone else to replace my radiator when I could do it myself, even though I am yet unencumbered by family duties.