Over half of British dads would rather see their children find fame and fortune by winning a reality TV show, than see them pursue academia and traditional sought-after careers.
Parenting on Female First
According to the poll of over 1,000 fathers across the UK, 51 per cent said they would prefer to see their children achieve celebrity status by being crowned the winner of X Factor, The Voice or Big Brother, rather than becoming a doctor, lawyer or even representing their nation at sport.
The findings reveal that fathers hold high hopes of stardom for their sons – one in three wish to see their male offspring become or marry someone famous over having a job they enjoy.
Whilst the advantages of celebrity and fame for their children appears to be top of dad’s agenda, one in four fathers believe a strong personality, or ‘gift of the gab’, provides the best future prospects over academic excellence, whatever their child’s career choice.
When it comes to favored professions for their children, teaching comes out on top with 34 per cent of dads surveyed by Ultralase wanting their children to take up the noble vocation.
At the bottom of the list was career in sales with only seven per cent of fathers saying they would like to see their son or daughter become a salesman or saleswomen.
So what does the study say about the Britain we now live in, where having the X Factor is now more important to many than having a degree?
Jeff Brazier, who found fame on reality TV show, Shipwrecked is urging fathers across the UK to consider other career paths and futures for their children.