"A household residing in the northern part of London seeks an remarkable and experienced instructor to guide their most junior child on his initial journey to growing into an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might naturally skip the phrase "initial stages" as simple a turn of phrase.
But, it may be the most important aspect of this unusual job advert, as it aims to recruit a mentor for a infant.
Hundreds of responses have already been received since the unidentified family posted their call for the highly paid tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
In recent few weeks, the post has attracted interest throughout the news, with several wondering why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of Tutors International, which is helping the family in their quest, explained that in spite of early doubt, he found the idea "visionary", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he said they appreciated the unconventional character of their request, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, they clarified that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to get a tutor, as they had postponed until their elder sibling was five, and by that age "cultural conditioning had already taken hold".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "everything", he responded. "The manner you eat, how you speak".
He stated the elder child had picked up "very nuanced, unspoken signals" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family told the consultant they wished to avoid the same situation to recur with their younger child.
The strategy: To engage a English tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby from the very start.
Natural Absorption
"Much of the education at the start here is rather acquired indirectly," explained Adam.
It's by means of this natural absorption that the family are expecting the child will adopt the English characteristics they aim to cultivate.
The consultant explained the tutor must be an individual who went to "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The tutor simply needs to be the right kind of person, they'll be carrying out things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he added.
Money No Object
The family informed the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or passion in horse riding, alpine skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a diverse set of passions.
Furthermore though, he stated the family hoped the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an tool by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's perspective, assisting their son develop into a "English gentleman" will bring about accomplishment and provide access.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he comments.
Yet, despite all this tutelage in "English culture", would the child adopt so-called cultural bias from the multicultural family he is raised by regardless?
"Yes", answered Adam. "They understand this may not work, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'we should try and let's go as soon as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he said.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the education sector who express those concerns.
Another CEO, head and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer private tutors, stated that "the process of embracing two identities, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not engineered."
He noted that he had emigrated from China to the Britain at the period of childhood, and had been educated experiencing and living dual heritages. He progressed to study at Cambridge University.
"The concept that one individual can function as a living vessel of UK identity, an individual who can somehow transfer the characteristics of a British gentleman upon a 12-month-old child, appears idealistic and impractical," he stated.
"Based on my background, engaging a quintessentially British tutor from early childhood will does not automatically create the outcome they want.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and however I have been lucky enough to enjoy several of the situations they desire for their son."
He added: "The fact is, self-identity should not be dictated from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, UK identity is something Adam thinks can be taught – and marketed.
"I believe the reality that the world regards us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
