Men's role as fathers tend to be vague. Yet, men's commitment to their children is key to the quality of family life and the prospects of the next generation. It is, however, a myth that is upheld by social and economic policy. On the domestic front, while women have taken on an increasing role in providing income to their families, men have not taken up their share of responsibility in family life. Responsibility for children, in particular, is still seen as belonging to the mother.
Fathers spend about a third as much time as mothers in providing direct child care.
Fathers' contributions to the direct care of their children, particularly when children are very young, is critical. Economic, cultural and other factors influence the amount of time fathers spend with their children. Cultural factors are perhaps paramount. In many societies, fathers' limited participation in child care is linked very strongly to beliefs that close father-child relations are not appropriate. In some parts of West Africa, contact between men and very young children is seen as taboo.