Orchid, my experience is a lot like yours. My ex was really involved with raising our kids...he worked nights so I could work days when our two first kids were babes. He'd diaper, wash clothes, wipe snotty noses, all the fun stuff the same as I did. We lived, worked, played our entire lives here, so I can't say if this really is a problem in western society/North America or not. My dad was the same...helped out with kids, etc. My mom told him he had to get comfortable with nasty diapers LOL.

My SO was the same. He helped raised his kids too, but I don't think he was involved to the same extent as my ex as the SO seems to be a real workaholic at times, but I've seen him too help bathe the grandkids, change diapers, feed them, play with them, etc.