Many men believe the world is now dominated by women and that they have lost their role in society, fuelling feelings of depression and being undervalued.

Asked what it meant to be a man in the 21st century, more than half thought society was turning them into "waxed and coiffed metrosexuals", and 52 per cent say they had to live according to women's rules.

Men said they "felt handcuffed" by political correctness - only 33 per cent felt they could speak freely and say what they thought, whereas two thirds found it safer and to conceal their opinions.

But four out of 10 are frightened of heights and spiders while a third are frightened of bossy women.