"A family located in North London seeks an exceptional and skilled educator to support their most junior child on his first steps to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might readily overlook the term "initial stages" as just figurative language.
However, it might be the most significant element of this distinctive position posting, as it aims to find a tutor for a 12-month-old.
Numerous of applications have now been received since the unidentified family advertised their request for the £180,000 per year tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".
Over the last few weeks, the listing has gained notice throughout the news, with several asking why?
Innovative Idea
The CEO, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their search, explained that in spite of first doubt, he viewed the concept "visionary", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he noted they appreciated the atypical nature of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
However, they clarified that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural bias had already taken hold".
But what does the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?
It's "comprehensive", he replied. "The way you eat, how you speak".
He stated the firstborn had adopted "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family informed him they hoped to prevent history to repeat itself with their younger child.
The plan: To engage a UK tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to shape the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"A lot of the learning at the outset here is rather osmotic," said the CEO.
It's by means of this natural absorption that the family are expecting the child will acquire the English characteristics they want to instil.
The consultant explained the tutor had to be an individual who studied at "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The tutor just has to be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in riding, winter sports, the arts and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a wide range of passions.
Furthermore though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and picking up an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's view, guiding their son grow into a "British gentleman" will result in achievement and create opportunities.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he comments.
However, in spite of all this instruction in "English culture", would the child absorb what is termed cultural influence from the international family he is raised by regardless?
"Certainly", replied Adam. "The family understand this could fail, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as early as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he stated.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the education sector who have similar doubts.
An education leader, chief executive of Blue Education, who also offer individual instructors, wrote that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or actually, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
The expert explained that he had emigrated from Asia to the Britain at the time of childhood, and had been raised understanding and practicing dual heritages. He progressed to study at a prestigious UK institution.
"The idea that a single person can function as a representation of Britishness, an individual who can somehow transfer the attributes of a English gentleman upon a infant child, seems to me idealistic and unrealistic," he commented.
"From my perspective, employing a quintessentially English tutor from infancy will will not necessarily produce the goal they want.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to live several of the situations they hope for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, personal identity can not be dictated from the outside influences; it must be selected, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Naturally, Britishness is something Adam thinks can be instructed – and commercialized.
"I think the fact that the international society regards us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
