"A household based in North London seeks an remarkable and qualified tutor to assist their smallest child on his first steps to growing into an British gentleman."
When reading this advertisement, you might easily overlook the phrase "first-steps" as simple figurative language.
Yet, it might be the most significant part of this unique position posting, as it seeks to hire a tutor for a infant.
Numerous of responses have already been received since the unnamed family advertised their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the listing has received interest across the media, with many questioning why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their quest, said that in spite of initial scepticism, he viewed the idea "far sighted", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he said they understood the atypical nature of their requirement, and how young their son is.
However, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that age "cultural influence had already set in".
What exactly does the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "all-encompassing", the expert responded. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the elder child had picked up "very nuanced, unspoken signals" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family explained to the consultant they wished to avoid the same situation to recur with their new baby.
The intention: To bring in a English tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby right from the beginning.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the development at the outset here is rather absorbed naturally," stated the expert.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will pick up the British traits they aim to cultivate.
The consultant said the tutor needed to be someone who attended "prestigious academies – comparable categories of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, effortlessly," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to Adam the selected educator should ideally also have familiarity of or passion in riding, alpine skiing, the arts and music so as to shape the child in a diverse set of passions.
Furthermore though, he said the family desired the tutor to register the child on a variety of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son become a "UK sophisticate" will result in achievement and open doors.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he notes.
However, in spite of all this instruction in "Britishness", would the child absorb what is termed cultural influence from the international family he is raised by regardless?
"Certainly", said the CEO. "The parents know this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he said.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the tutoring industry who express these doubts.
An education leader, chief executive of Blue Education, who provides private tutors, stated that "the development of embracing two identities, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not engineered."
Peter explained that he had relocated from Asia to the United Kingdom at the period of seven, and had been brought up knowing and embodying both cultures. He continued to study at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that a single person can function as a representation of English culture, an individual who can possibly transfer the qualities of a British gentleman upon a infant child, appears idealistic and unrealistic," he stated.
"In my experience, engaging a typically UK tutor from early childhood will does not automatically create the goal they hope for.
"I never had such a figure, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to enjoy several of the opportunities they aspire for their son."
He added: "The fact is, personal identity should not be forced from the outside influences; it must be selected, and it must be internally driven."
Buying Britishness
Certainly, English culture is something the CEO hopes can be instructed – and sold.
"I think the fact that the global community regards us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
