I remarried over five years ago after my first wife died, leaving me with three children under 10. My second wife is a business woman and is the mother my children need.

I’ve just been abandoned by my husband of 22 years. He got a better job early last year but in another city. As a result, he rented a one-room apartment and I stayed in the family house with our two daughters.

The subject of husbands being abused by their wives is a very sensitive one. Men fear the ridicule they may receive if they admit that their wives are violent towards them. I was brought up in a very violent household where my mother frequently lashed out at my father. She injured him so badly on many occasions that he was admitted to the hospital. Our house was trashed several times because of her actions, sometimes due to alcohol, but often just because she was in a foul temper. We lived on a knife edge in case we did something that would set her off on another rant.

I separated from my partner eight years ago and I haven’t had another relationship.

FINDINGS have shown that becoming a father is a major life event which changes family relationships, brings new responsibilities and has a major economic impact on the new parents.