1) how to change the oil in your car
EPA and greens discourages with rules and regulations. It is a hassle to get rid of the old oil. I have a brother on the farm who will use it in his shop stove.
2) How to change a flat tire
I can't remember the last time I had a flat, been 20 years. Use to have flats all the time when a kid. Better tires? better roads?
3) How to change spark plugs
Takes special tools these days (at least the last hard to get at plug).
4) How to wire a light switch/outlet/light fixture, etc.
Electrical code and unions discourage. Have to have a permit to do almost every thing now days if you want to be legit (which I usually am usually not).
5) How to sweat copper pipes
Plumbing code and unions and permits discourage. New product out there called pex which looks preferable to me.
6) Now to tie knots
Tie down straps and bungees are easier. I have rope in garage but haven't used in 10 years. Always admired Dads ability to work with rope and splice rope.
7) How to swim
Deep end of pools are gone because of liability
8) How to determine which way is North
Where do you use this now days? Most have gps.
One survival skill is being taught though - Rely on the gov’t, they will take care of you.
it is easy to rationalize not learning what one should.
as for plastic pipes, I seem to recall a big push a while back for plastic pipes. They were indeed sheaper and easier to work with than copper, but after a few years they became brittle and would burst since they were under pressure. a whole lot of people who trusted the so-caled experts lost a whole lot (imagins the pipes bursting when you’re at work - huge amounts of water damages)
IIRC AFTER a class action lawsuit, the company that made the stuff settled by refunding the purchase price.