ARECENT study found that fathers are now becoming much more involved in the care of their children.

In the past, working fathers were perceived as being the main breadwinner, while mothers stayed at home to look after the children.

But according to a study carried out by the Equal Opportunities Commission last year - this view is outdated. It found that working fathers were now doing one-third of the parental childcare, although the mother still carried out the bulk of the duties.

Jack O'Sullivan, co-founder of pressure group Fathers Direct, says that the increased involvement of dads in their children's care reflected modern family life today. Fathers want to get involved in the care of their children.

Mr O'Sullivan says: "The reality of family life is that childcare is much more shared between mums and dads. Dads want to be involved in the care of their children."

Andy Kearney, of Bolton based Saturday Fathers Together agrees with Mr O'Sullivan. He believes the role of the father has changed.

Mr Kearney says: "There is this stereotypical view that fathers are the main breadwinners and that the mothers stay at home to look after the children. This has changed over the years. A lot more fathers are now choosing to stay at home to look after their children, while the mother becomes the main provider for the family."

The Government now seem to be recognising that fathers do play a more active role in their children's lives. From April last year, they introduced legislation which allowed men to take two weeks' paid paternity leave. Employers have to pay £100 per week in wages.

Last month, the Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt, announced proposals to grant fathers six months' unpaid paternity leave.

New mothers can take six months' paid time off work to care for their babies, followed by six months unpaid leave if they choose. Fathers will be able to take the second six months off if their wife or partner wants to return to work, if the new proposals become law in 2006. Both parents can also now ask for flexible working arrangements if their children are under six years of age.

In a recent article in the Times newspaper, Ms Hewitt said: "I want to look at how to take this whole package forward and six months off for fathers is one way of doing it, although there may be other ways."

Mr O'Sullivan says the changes in law have been long overdue. He says: "Dads are now playing a more prominent role in their child's life. Research shows that there are real benefits from fathers being involved in their child's life. Children have better social skills, do better at exams when they're 16 and are less likely to have a criminal record when they're 21."

The law has now also changed for unmarried couples who have children. In the past, fathers had no parental responsibility and could not make any major decisions in their child's life, even though they were the natural father. Fathers had no right to be involved in decisions such as where the children lived, their education, religion, or medical treatment.

Fathers had to go through the courts to get parental responsibility, or marry the child's mother.

But in a major step forward, unmarried dads now have automatic parental responsibility - the same as the mother, following a change to the Childrens Act, 1989. From December 1 last year, fathers will get equal parental responsibility, provided their name is on the child's birth certificate and parents register the birth together.

However, fathers' groups believe there is still a long way to go before dads are recognised as an equal parent in the workplace.

Mr O'Sullivan, from Fathers Direct, says: "The problem is that there is still no information published for new dads about what rights they actually have. There are lots of holes and the Government need to do more to tell new dads about their rights.

Mr Kearney, from Saturday Fathers Together, shared this view. He says: "I was not even aware that the law had changed and unmarried fathers could have equal parental responsibility if parents registered the birth of the baby together. Fathers don't know about this new development, and they should be made aware of this."

Dads who need support can ring 01204 370588, visit the Saturday Fathers Together office at 10 St Georges Street, in Bolton town centre, contact it via e-mail, saturdayfathers together@btinternet.com or visit their website at www.saturday fathers together.co.uk

The Fathers Direct website can be accessed on: www.fathersdirect.com