It soon became apparent that many of these measures were not sufficient, and that they could even be counter-productive by reinforcing the concept that women were less committed to work than men because of a commitment to the family which men did not have. Concern for a better quality of life was also growing at that time, leading men to wish to be more involved with their children and to share with their wives more of the day-to-day routine of home.

At the international level, a more coherent approach to the question of equality between men and women developed, the point being made that changes in the traditional role of men were needed to ensure that women enjoyed equal opportunities and treatment at work. The involvement of women in work should be mirrored in a greater involvement of men in the family and the household.

This new approach to the promotion of equality led the ILO to reconsider the relevance of the policy expressed in the Employment (Women with Family Responsibilities) Recommendation, 1965 (No. 123). In 1978, a general survey of the application of the recommendation was carried out. It noted a need for change in the roles of men in the family and society, and for recognition of men's roles such that any facility set up to help workers to deal with their family responsibilities should be available equally to men and women. Thus the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention (No. 156) and Recommendation (No. 165) were adopted in 1981 and superseded the previous Recommendation related to women.