Conrad Sciortino is a home maker. He works reduced hours which allow him the time to take care of his two children after school, and to manage the household. His wife works full-time and comes back home at 6pm.

Friends of mine arrive home at about 9pm when the children are about to sleep

Mr Sciortino, 35, from Birguma is quite a rarity in Malta. Although no statistics exist of men who are the main child carers in Malta, according to a statistical study by the University’s Labour Studies Centre while 99 per cent of women took parental leave among employees in the public sector in 2009, only one per cent of men did – 461 women, compared to nine men.

A similar report carried out in 2003 by the Department for Women in Society had showed a similar trend.

“This signifies a slow change in men’s attitude to parental leave which suggests that Maltese fathers largely conform to ideal worker norms of uninterrupted career patterns,” said Anna Borg, a lecturer at the centre.

Mr Sciortino, father to Leah, aged five, and Nicole, one, believes that for men to be the main carers is still socially considered to be an “off the beaten track” bold step. “Two years ago we decided that it was financially more feasible for us as a family if my wife worked full time… so I just put my family first,” he said. He works as an after sales supervisor; his wife works as a financial officer at a bank.

“Previously Diane had been the one working on reduced hours, but when the opportunity came for her to further her career, it was clear that we would be much more comfortable if I took turn at taking care of the kids,” he said. It was not an easy decision as working reduced hours meant having to put his career ladder on hold and it also means cramming work in shorter spans of time.

“But for now my priority are the kids,” he said. As a couple they had always planned for either parent to be present throughout the children’s formative years.

It is also not easy to find employers who are open to family friendly conditions, said Mr Sciortino, and he considers himself lucky.

“It’s not because I’m a man – it’s more because employers are not yet aware about the need for more family friendly measures,” he said.

In the meantime he is enjoying his time with his children, “of course, with the occasional hiccup or two”. However, he is glad that he has the opportunity to nurture a very good relationship with his two daughters.

“Friends of mine arrive home at about 9pm when the children are about to sleep,” he said.

“I would encourage anyone to take this step, if it means that the family will benefit out of it,” he said.