What makes a REAL man?
... Pals, politeness, parenting & polishing
LOYALTY to friends, being in touch with your feelings and doing your bit for domestic bliss are among the top signs of modern manliness, a poll of the nation’s blokes shows.
Standing by mates (42%) topped the list of qualities guys aspire to – ahead of faithfulness to a partner (37%).
The traditional gentlemanly act of opening doors for both women and men was third, followed by a string of less traditional ideals.
More than one in four said sharing chores and parenting duties, including changing nappies, was essential.
Keeping fit, being able to discuss emotions and being happy to carry a baby around in a sling were just as vital, according to the 2,000-strong study. Skills long considered manly, such as being able to change a plug (16%) and a tyre (15%), also featured on the list.
But 40% said going to the pub every night was old hat with 22% frowning on the idea of getting too drunk.
That might have added to booming boredom levels – with 72% admitting their lives are not exciting enough.
One in 10 fill the gap by having a passion or a hobby outside of the home while 22% said doing arts and crafts and sharing their hobbies and passions with their children was manly. TV channel Quest, which commissioned the poll to mark its move to Channel 12 on Freeview, said: “The study has uncovered interesting insights into how modern men view themselves.
“It was good to see how many modern men have passions and hobbies outside of their families.”
Life in the 21st century is far from plain sailing though, with 76% claiming that it is tough to be a modern chap. Many put this down to conflicting ideas about what it takes to be a bloke with 45% admitting they do not know how they should act in everyday life. Despite this, more than half felt that they had it easier than previous generations.
Some things never change though, with 11% believing a real man is always the king of the barbecue.
Nearly one in three still feel men should be the main breadwinner and that they should be responsible for all DIY tasks at home.
And almost all the respondents – 94% – think men still have practical skills, with just 38% saying women do too.