IT was once perceived that among the majority of couples with children who separated, the onus of caring and bringing-up the children fell upon the woman.

At present, no one can deny that women still represent the majority of single parents with this type of responsibility.

However, it's a fact that the number of men who've been left with the caring role has been on the increase, not only in the area of single parenting, but also in where the woman in a relationship with a man will be the main earner.

This mothering role reversal isn't always considered or recognised when it comes to Government campaigns highlighting various benefits for both single parents and those who have Family Tax Credit.

For example, the advertisement for Family Tax Credit on television shows a woman with child and a man at work.

A voiceover claims that the new credit is much easier for women.

This insinuates that women won't have to worry about receiving money from the man. In other words, men will no longer be able to keep money from their female partners!

This is clearly a case of sex discrimination against men.

Many more men are adapting to the mothering role, while their female partners are becoming the main salary-earners.

Single fathers are on the increase and this economic change should be given more recognition, not only in the form of how governmental benefits are advertised, but also through restructuring current government policies on the modern day family.

Equality will only be improved if the Government recognises that society no longer comprises of only one distinct nuclear family, but numerous types.

J LOCK,

Worcester.