Teenagers Choose Parents Over David Beckham

Parents are greater role models to British teenagers than celebrities, a recent survey suggests.

The Scout Association found that out of the more than 1,000 13 to 18-year-olds surveyed, a large number of expressed 'highly positive attitudes' towards their family with parents and siblings ranked the most positive influence.

The survey revealed that young people are, despite popular opinion, cynical about the celebrity lifestyle: "Young people express highly positive attitudes towards their family and believe they have a positive influence. Young people are more cynical, or at least unconvinced, about the influence of celebrities on their lives and indeed feel that celebrities such as Pete Doherty are bad role models."

The study was carried out by research consultants on behalf of the Scout Association, which this year celebrates its centenary.

In addition, The Daily Telegraph published results of a study in which teenagers named their mother as the adult they most admired six times more than celebrities such as David Beckham or Kylie Minogue.

Fathers were three times more popular than celebrities.