Traditional qualities such as DIY skills and old-fashioned romance are being cast aside by modern men, as being a feminist, opening-up about emotions and having perfect manners are branded the ultimate signs of an accomplished man in 2019, according to residents in the East of England.
Being able to cook, having a loving family and being good at housework are also key attributes men living in the region should aspire towards if they are to be considered as successful in 21st century life, according to the latest research into what makes an accomplished man.
David Attenborough has been voted as the most accomplished man in modern society, with Barack Obama and Bill Gates following closely behind. However, the list includes some surprise entries in the form of Tyson Fury, Peter Andre, Drake, and Nigel Farage. Interestingly, the UK’s new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, did not rank highly, with less than one percent of adults voting him as the most accomplished man in modern society.
Research amongst adults in the East of England, commissioned by leading name label company, My Nametags found that the definition of success is changing. For instance, many men claim not to share their fathers’ aptitude for traditionally masculine jobs, with almost half relying on the older generation to assist them with practical tasks, such as putting up shelves and changing car tyres.
While national results show that UK men feel they are worse than their fathers at managing finances, negotiating with tradesmen and being the breadwinner for their family, research found that men in the East of England are more likely to feel inferior when it comes to speaking other languages and discussing sport. Women in the region, on the other hand, wish that their other halves were as good at being romantic, chivalrous and well-groomed as previous generations.
However, the modern man has more success than their predecessors when it comes to household chores, with as many as 97 percent arguing that they are better than their fathers at either cooking, food shopping or doing housework.
Both men and women agree that the modern man is more in touch with his emotions than his father. In fact, being able to talk openly about feelings is considered one of the most important skills required to be an accomplished man in today’s society. Over a third of adults in the East of England agree that being open about mental health is an essential attribute. Being happy (36 percent), being a good father (32 percent), having great manners (33 percent) and confidence (33 percent) are all considered key.
As many as 65 percent agreed that the definition of an accomplished man has changed since their father’s generation. Being a feminist, feeling comfortable playing with dolls and knowing their partner’s dress size all made the list of attributes men need to be considered accomplished in 2019.
Given these findings, it comes as no surprise that 47 percent of those surveyed in the region also agree that the definitions of an accomplished man and an accomplished woman have gotten closer over the last generation.
In terms of the national research, the study found that having no ambition is the number one quality guaranteed to ruin a man’s chances of being seen as accomplished. However, it seems some traditional stereotypes still exist, with not being able to drive, struggling to fix things and showing emotions in public also making the list of faux pas.
A rigorous grooming routine can also negatively impact our perception of men. Wearing fake tan, waxing eyebrows and having manicures were flagged as some of the top habits that make a modern man less appealing.
Despite Piers Morgan mocking Daniel Craig for carrying his baby in a papoose by tweeting he had ‘emasculated Bond’, the nation disagrees. Only four percent believe carrying children in a baby sling makes them less of an ideal modern man, while being a good father was one of the top attributes.
When it comes to parenting, almost three quarters of dads believe they do things with their children that their father didn’t – further demonstrating the difference between the generations. These include cooking for them (24 percent), taking them to school (21 percent) and helping them with their schoolwork (20 percent). Dads today also believe they spend more time with their children than their fathers did (20 percent).
Modern fathers take a more hands-on approach to parenting. Changing nappies, playing with their children, doing their hair and sticking name labels on their uniforms were all flagged as key tasks that they do more than fathers from previous generations.
It seems that the modern father is also passing on different attributes to their children than previous generations. Being respectful topped the list, closely followed by being kind, thoughtful and a good parent.
These contrast to the qualities men feel have been passed down by their own fathers. Being respectful still makes the list but sits alongside more traditional traits, including having a good work ethic and a strong moral compass.
Commenting on the research, Lars B. Andersen, Founder and Managing Director at My Nametags, said: “We were interested to discover what traits define an accomplished man in today’s society after seeing a surge in men buying name labels for their children. As we suspected, the results clearly demonstrate that the role of the modern man is evolving, with many choosing to get involved in household tasks, such as sticking on name labels. It is heartening to see the definition of an accomplished man becoming much more diverse and inclusive, showing a clear move away from traditional stereotypes.
“The campaign follows on from research undertaken by My Nametags last year into the changing role of the accomplished woman. Interestingly, the results clearly demonstrate that there is less disparity between the qualities associated with being accomplished across both men and women than ever before. Instead, many Brits favour emotional achievements, such as being happy and being comfortable talking about their emotions, over the traditional marks of success associated with their gender.”
Despite a clear increase in the modern father’s involvement with household tasks, opinions remain divided on the word ‘househusband’. As many as 41 percent of men agree they would be happy to be referred to by this term if they were taking time out of employment to focus on family life. However, 33 percent are against it, arguing that both ‘housewife’ and ‘househusband’ are outdated. A further 17 percent would find being called a househusband emasculating.
Opinions amongst women are also conflicted, with 46 percent in favour of the word ‘househusband’ and 54 percent against it. Interestingly, My Nametags’ research shows that women are also divided when it comes to the term ‘housewife’, with half of modern women arguing it is outdated, sexist and embarrassing.
