I've never understood other people thinking that way,the same with you saying that about fathers of yesteryear,that's a sweeping statement as well!
My Mum was really ill after she had me and my Dad took care of my Mum,me,my two teenage brothers and his parents(they were alot older when they had my Dad and they were quite ill by the time I was born)and he still had to go to work.
I can remember people telling me when I was older how my poor Dad lost a couple of stone within the first couple of months after I was born because of all the running around he was doing.
My second oldest brother was the same,they had 7 children,they're two youngest children(twin boys)were very ill from when they were born and are disabled.He fought for years to get all the help he could for his boys,he worked full time but he'd go home and help my SIL clean the house,he'd cook and look after his DC and help with homework.
He used to take me on days out and spoil me from when I was tiny right upto when I was an older teen.
I can remember my Mum telling me how hands on her Father was, my Grandfather,they had alot of children and my Nan and my Grandad adored children and he was very hands on.He was a carpenter and a very hard worker but he never let my nan lift a finger for a good few works after each one of they're children were born apart from to let her breastfeed the baby.
My paternal Grandfather was the same and he'd had a really hard upbringing himself and had served in the army and in both world wars but he'd do anything for my Nan and his children and he was an amazing grandad.
One of my uncles(my Mum's brother)had 6 children and my poor auntie became very ill,he worked full time,was a carer for my Auntie(and still is now and he's 80 now)and helped with everything for the children,cooked,did all the cleaning and gardening and yet he was always there for me and my brothers and for my Mum and Dad as well,me,my DH and our 5DC are all incredibly close to him still.
Another one of my Uncles(my Dad's BIL)is the same,he's very ill now but he's always been an amazing husband to my Auntie(my Dad's sister)and amazing Dad to his 3 children and an amazing Grandad and he's been an amazing uncle to me and he's a brilliant great uncle to our 5DC.
I did study sociology a while ago and alot of that covered familys now and from years ago and there was actually alot of older ladies 70 years+ that had stated just how much they're husbands had helped out at home and with the child rearing whilst holding down full time jobs.