THE VAST majority of men believe single fathers should have the same rights in relation to their children as single mothers, according to an Irish Times/Behaviour Attitudes poll on men in Ireland today.
Some 85 per cent of men believe single fathers should have equal rights, with levels of support strong across all age groups. On the issue of raising children, 56 per cent believe a woman should accept that her children are more important that her career.
Middle-aged and older men are the most likely to feel women should place greater emphasis on their children. For example, 45 per cent of those aged 18-24 share this opinion, rising to 70 per cent among those aged 65 and over. Despite this, most men say they are keen to play a greater role in the lives of their children and do not see themselves as traditional breadwinners anymore. A majority of men (74 per cent) feel more flexible working conditions should be introduced to allow them to get involved in childcare. The vast majority of men also believe couples who are both working should equally share looking after children.
Some 85 per cent agree child-rearing duties should be shared. Perhaps surprisingly, middle-aged men are much more likely than younger men to hold this view.
On the vexed issue of housework, 38 per cent of men say they share housework equally with their partner. Just 15 per cent of men say they do more housework than their partner, while 38 per cent say their partner does more.
In the area of relationships, most men say they are faithful to their partners. A total of 12 per cent of men who are married or in long-term relationships admit to having had another sexual relationship while still with their current partner. The figure is higher for young men - 18 per cent of those in their 20s and 30s.
Most men also say they believe in long-term monogamy in a relationship. Just 7 per cent do not.