The surge in popularity of DIY content on social media is transforming the landscape for women, encouraging many to tackle home improvement tasks themselves and inspiring some to pursue careers in trades. This shift is challenging traditional gender roles in DIY, where historically, men dominated.
Empowered DIY Influencers
Jasmine Gurney, a DIY influencer from Bedfordshire, is a prime example of this change. Once a marketer, Jasmine has taken on multiple challenging projects and regularly shares them online. Her tasks range from constructing a treehouse to complex cabinetry work. Despite being eight months pregnant, she’s currently focused on completing a custom wardrobe before her new baby arrives. Reflecting on her journey, Jasmine notes how sharing her experiences, even while pregnant or with her child in tow, empowers other women to undertake DIY tasks.
Gen Z’s DIY Revolution
A recent B&Q report indicates that Gen Z women are progressively dismantling gender stereotypes in DIY. A significant 75% of Gen Z women express enjoyment in DIY tasks, notably higher than the general female average. Additionally, the influence of seeing women perform complex DIY on social media is a substantial motivating factor, with 82% of Gen Z women reporting this inspiration.
Alongside this trend, individuals like Bliss Cunneen are making decisive career shifts. Bliss, who left an Anthropology course in 2020, now works as a plumber. Her decision was driven by a desire for autonomy and the appealing prospects of a skilled trade. Initially met with skepticism, she has found that confidence and competence dispel any doubts.
Growing Demand for Tradeswomen
Anna Moynihan founded TaskHer, a platform linking female tradespeople with clients, to counteract gender biases she observed in trade industries. Since then, the platform has seen inquiries more than double compared to last year, and the number of tradeswomen joining has quadrupled. Anna notes that many women prefer hiring female tradespeople for reasons ranging from wanting respect to supporting women in non-traditional roles.
An increasing number of women, some with Oxford University backgrounds, are turning to trades, seeking work environments not heavily influenced by AI advancements and offering personal flexibility.
Representation and Change
Despite these developments, women constitute only a small fraction of the UK’s construction workforce, around 4% as per the Federation of Master Builders. However, there is progress; women’s participation in construction apprenticeships has notably increased over the past five years.
Jasmine Gurney and Anna Moynihan are optimistic that visible role models on social platforms will inspire more women to engage in DIY and consider vocational careers. As Jasmine suggests, normalizing women’s presence in these fields can change perceptions and open new opportunities.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.