"A family residing in North London is looking for an extraordinary and qualified tutor to guide their smallest child on his initial journey to growing into an English gentleman."
When reading this listing, you might readily overlook the term "initial stages" as just an expression.
But, it may be the most important part of this unique position posting, as it aims to hire a tutor for a 12-month-old.
Numerous of responses have now been submitted since the unidentified family posted their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the advert has gained notice throughout the media, with many questioning why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is helping the family in their search, explained that in spite of early skepticism, he viewed the plan "visionary", and "progressive".
When he met the family, he mentioned they understood the unconventional character of their request, and how young their son is.
But, they clarified that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural influence had by then become established".
But what did the family indicate by "cultural bias"?
It's "all-encompassing", he responded. "The way you eat, the way you speak".
He explained the firstborn had adopted "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family informed him they wished to avoid history to repeat itself with their new baby.
The plan: To hire a UK tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to shape the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the education at the outset here is somewhat osmotic," explained the CEO.
It's via this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will pick up the UK customs they want to instil.
Adam said the tutor must be someone who attended "the appropriate educational institutions – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The tutor must be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family informed Adam the selected educator should preferably also have knowledge of or passion in riding, winter sports, creative fields and music so as to shape the child in a diverse set of interests.
Furthermore though, he stated the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a variety of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and picking up an instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's view, helping their son grow into a "British gentleman" will lead to accomplishment and provide access.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he notes.
However, despite all this instruction in "English culture", might the child pick up so-called cultural influence from the multicultural family he lives with regardless?
"Yes", replied he. "The parents realize this may not work, but they've merely embraced the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as quickly as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he said.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
Several in the tutoring industry who share similar concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of an educational organization, who also offer individual instructors, commented that "the development of embracing two identities, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
He explained that he had relocated from China to the United Kingdom at the time of childhood, and had been raised knowing and embodying two backgrounds. He continued to study at the University of Cambridge.
"The concept that a single person can function as a embodiment of Britishness, someone who can somehow impart the characteristics of a UK sophisticate onto a one-year-old child, appears optimistic and unfeasible," he wrote.
"From my perspective, employing a distinctly British tutor from infancy will does not instantly produce the result they hope for.
"I wasn't provided with such a figure, and however I have been fortunate enough to live several of the situations they aspire for their son."
He stated: "The truth is, cultural identity should not be forced from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Certainly, Britishness is something the expert hopes can be instructed – and sold.
"I believe the situation that the global community holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
