For many years most men were the main or sole breadwinners, with women staying at home to look after the family.

Few homes are like that these days, yet it still tends to be working women, rather than men, who cope with family life and fit their jobs around it.

Many firms are not flexible for their male employees and a lot of men are too scared to ask for it in case it affects their job prospects.

All this is changing now men have the same rights as women to ask for and receive flexible working hours.

British men already work the longest hours in Europe and this means many are prevented from spending valuable time with their children.

It takes ingenuity by companies and some juggling by fathers to achieve the right balance between home and work.

Many women have discovered in the past decade that it can be done and that it works well most of the time.

Some fathers have already discovered it can enrich both home and work life. More should give it a try.