According to the survey, one in three children say they rarely spend longer than one hour with their dad each day – and that's only if they catch him before he goes out to work, and returns in time for their bedtime.

Two thirds of children say they wish their dad spent less time working and more time with them.

But a shocking 22 per cent also claim their dad is more concerned about pursuing his own hobbies and interests than playing with them.

The shock poll of 500 six to 15-year-olds, was conducted by the market research website for children, www.youngpoll.com.

It revealed that 56 per cent of children don't even believe their dad goes out to work to give them a good upbringing – claiming it's all about making money.

Forty three per cent of youngsters say they would simply enjoy hanging out with their dad more, while 41 per cent think it would be good to have more play-time together.

Seventeen per cent would appreciate their dad's help with homework, and 16 per cent would like their dad to read with them.

More than a third of kids would relish the opportunity to play their computer games with dad, while 31 per cent would like to watch movies.

Fifteen per cent would like to try cooking with dad, and the same percentage of kids would simply enjoy sitting round the dinner table at tea time.

Only 14 per cent of kids say their dad knows them better than their mums – who spend an average of five hours caring for them every day.

Fascinating reading, I think you will agree.

Without wishing to sound smug, this report has made me realise how lucky I am to have the kind of husband I have. We share our responsibility as parents 50/50 and my husband really enjoys spending good, quality time with our son, often taking him off on his own for a few hours to play footie in the park or swimming at the local leisure centre.

And yet I know, from talking to my friends, that David is in the minority.

Even in today's "enlightened" world, there are still far too many men who think that the child-raising is a "woman's job".

It doesn't even seem to matter if their wife/partner works, women are still expected to do the bulk of the work caring for their children.

The husband of one of my friends keeps a tally of every time she goes out and leaves him alone with the kids, so he can get the exact hours back – normally down the pub with his mates.

"Sometime I think I need to clock in and out of my own home," she joked.

But I have to say I don't think this situation is remotely funny and reading the report above, it would appear that the children don't either.