Confidence and attractiveness as more important assets to success, a study has found

TEENAGERS and parents see confidence and attractiveness as more important assets to success than academic qualifications, a study has found.

The research suggests a dwindling importance is traditional schooling, where parents worry that a lack of confidence, rather than ability could hold their children back in life.

Four out of five parents believe that appearance is an important factor in being successful.

The research that was taken by the Sky Academy Skills initiative, found that nine out of ten ranked confidence as significant, while only 67 per cent attach importance to being naturally clever.

Confidence can also be a big indicator to teenagers on how attractive they feel, particularly amongst girls.

For two thirds, confidence was determined by their appearance compared with 45 per cent of boys thinking the same way.

Meanwhile, 51 per cent of girls worry about their clothing, compared with 36 per cent of boys.

Teenage girls are commonly found to be less confident in dealing with new situations, particularly ones associated with the school environment.

The survey featured around 1,638 young people aged between 11 and 24, and 677 parents, commissioned by Sky Academy as it launches its Confidence Month that includes Jessica Ennis-Hill, the Olympic gold medallist.

As a teenager myself I think that academic qualifications are the only key route to success. However, confidence is a staple to have when facing any situation.

Young people today are affected by this survey, as they see these statistics and they feel like they need to conform to what teenagers today are thinking.