While the hugely popular British preschool animated television series, Peppa Pig, portrays the father in the family as a lazy bumbler, his redeeming qualities do offer an alternative view to kids.

A survey suggests the way fathers are portrayed in popular culture may be eroding their status as role models — so maybe it’s apt that, as I begin writing this piece, I am drinking a yoghurt from the carton because I couldn’t be bothered trying to find a spoon.