Men are more likely to rate having a home computer, high-speed internet, a microwave and a Sky TV connection as a necessity of life than women, according to UMR Research.
The survey looked in to what items people of different ages and genders considered a must have and what they could live without.
Significantly more men (73%) say a home computer is a necessity than women (65%). The gender difference is more marked for high-speed Internet (62% men; 53% women), a microwave (56% men; 42% women) and less so for Sky TV (22% men, 15% women).
UMR Research executive director, Tim Grafton, told the National Business Review the reasons why these particular items are considered more of a necessity to men than to women are unknown.
“I suspect it may be that, because generally men are perhaps maybe less capable of going through a more sophisticated preparation of food. I think it terms of Sky TV connection, males are more heavily in to using it for sports broadcasts and the like.”
Mr Grafton struggled to find an explanation to why men can’t live without a home computer and high-speed internet.
While a car was regarded the most important necessity in life for most New Zealanders, the research also splits people of different ages. Technology regarded as necessary tends to be the dominant technology when people we were growing up.
Those over 60 are more likely to think a TV set and a landline are necessities of life, said Mr Grafton.
“It may be because they spend more time at home, but I think also they are probably less conversant with using a computer to access other entertainment modes.
“These items obviously play an important role not just in being able to have a social life but also in case of an accident or an illness.
“At the other end of the scale the younger age groups can do without some of these things. It’s noticeable that those that are younger don’t have as higher rating on necessity for these [a TV set and a landline] items than older people have.”
The younger people are, the more important a mobile phone, an MP3 player and social networking sites are for them.
“It’s just indicates that younger people have grown up in a world where mobile communication is really important for socialisation and work,” said Mr Grafton.
Kristina Koveshnikova
Wed, 11 Jul 2018