CINCINNATI, June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ManoftheHouse.com, an online resource for dads from Procter & Gamble Productions and Barefoot Proximity, recently surveyed 350 dads to understand the evolution of the American dad, his attitudes towards Father's Day and how his fatherhood priorities differ from those of his dad. Of the men surveyed, 80% said Mother's Day gets more attention than Father's Day. But looking at the rest of the survey results it's clear that dads deserve just as much credit as moms, because of the roles they play with their children and in their households.
In fact, in many cases men are doing as much or more around the house as women. The ManoftheHouse.com study showed:
- 60% of men say they share the responsibility for childcare equally with their spouse
- 43% are spending as much time as their spouse scrubbing toilets, mopping floors and loading dishwashers
- 33% of men are spending equal time in the laundry room and at the kitchen stove
Moreover, today's dad is doing all this while still managing his traditionally male household roles. The majority of the men we surveyed say they are still primarily responsible for automotive (78%), household (63%) and yard (69%) maintenance.
When asked about how they are performing versus their fathers, 59% said they are better fathers than their dad. This attitude could be attributed to men's redefinition of what it means to be a great dad. The men surveyed admitted their fathers excelled at providing financially for their families, but they do not feel that it is as important an attribute to being a great dad today. The top qualities men identified as important, and said they are excelling in today, are in relationship areas such as spending time with their kids (49%), spending time with their spouse (26%) and caring for their children (26%).
"This study continues to debunk myths about what a man really is," said Dr. Helen Fisher, noted biological anthropologist and relationship expert for ManoftheHouse.com, "As women's roles outside the household are expanding, men's roles inside the household are expanding. Men are once again expressing who they really are -- energetic, caring, contributing, available dads. It's time to enjoy and recognize that."
Today's men are proud to be great dads. Of men surveyed, 89% said they think they are good fathers. Seventy percent of new dads we talked to said they feel more fulfilled in their lives since becoming fathers. Dads of all generations are picking up more responsibility and deserved to be celebrated this Father's Day.
Survey Methodology
In April 2011, TNS contacted male heads of household age 18+ who have at least one child under the age of 18 and asked them to complete a survey about fatherhood and Father's Day.
About ManoftheHouse.com
Man of the House was created by Barefoot Proximity in partnership with Procter & Gamble Productions, Inc., a division of the Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE: PG], as a site which provides men, and especially dads, with information and advice to help in their expanded family roles. ManoftheHouse.com helps men be a little bit better at everything they do with simple, direct and helpful information from an entertaining and engaging guy's point of view.
SOURCE ManoftheHouse.com
