Celebrities like David Beckham are giving a tough time to British dads who are finding it too much to live up to the high standards set by the rich and the famous as “ideal” fathers.

A survey has found that fathers are feeling pressured to have an “unrealistic” lifestyle similar to that of Beckham with keeping fit, dressing well and making a lot of money, and this has left many men frustrated.

The poll of 4,000 fathers by the Netmums.com portal found that, because of this, a third of them were unsure if they would stay with their partner for good.

More than 40 per cent of the respondents claimed they suffered a male version of post-natal depression, with over half feeling deprived of the time they used to spend with friends as mothers were increasingly demanding breaks from children in the evenings and weekends.

According to the survey, the headache of family finances tops the list of factors which put fathers under pressure, at 74 per cent. Forty-five per cent of fathers complained about lack of sleep, and 41 per cent lack of sex.

The main cause of arguments with partners is money (21 per cent), followed by the other person feeling unappreciated (14 per cent) and household chores (10 per cent), it revealed.

“In the past the male and female parenting roles have been very clearly defined, but we are now seeing increasing numbers of parents both opting to work. There are also fewer stay-at-home mums.

“It’s vital that for a successful relationship you are both provided with the time and space to be an individual as well as a parent and that you take time out to realise the positives in your partner,” Sally Russell, the Director of Netmums.com, said.