"A family based in the northern part of London is looking for an exceptional and skilled educator to assist their smallest child on his early path to growing into an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the phrase "initial stages" as just an expression.
However, it could be the crucial element of this unusual employment listing, as it attempts to recruit a tutor for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of submissions have since been sent in since the anonymous family posted their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
In recent few weeks, the post has attracted notice in the media, with several wondering why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is helping the family in their hunt, stated that in spite of first skepticism, he viewed the idea "visionary", and "innovative".
When he spoke with the family, he mentioned they understood the unconventional aspect of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
Nevertheless, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had held off until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already become established".
What precisely did the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", he replied. "The way you eat, how you speak".
He said the older sibling had adopted "really subtle, unspoken signals" from the family, and had adopted their cultural habits. The family explained to Adam they did not want this pattern to recur with their younger child.
The plan: To engage a British tutor, who must speak with standard English accent, to guide the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the development at the beginning here is rather osmotic," explained Adam.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will acquire the UK customs they aim to cultivate.
The consultant explained the tutor had to be someone who attended "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The educator must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, just naturally," he said.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to him the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or passion in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to influence the child in a wide range of passions.
More than that though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of classes 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 minds, helping their son grow into a "English gentleman" will result in achievement and open doors.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's certainly a status symbol," he adds.
Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "English culture", would the child pick up what is termed cultural influence from the multicultural family he resides with regardless?
"Absolutely", replied the CEO. "The family realize this may not work, but they've just taken the view of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he stated.
Overly Optimistic
A number of in the tutoring industry who share similar doubts.
Another CEO, chief executive of a tutoring service, who also offer individual instructors, commented that "the journey of embracing two identities, or actually, becoming oneself, is something that must be lived into, not engineered."
The expert wrote that he had moved from Asia to the United Kingdom at the period of seven, and had been raised understanding and practicing dual heritages. He went on to study at Cambridge University.
"The notion that an individual can serve as a living vessel of Britishness, an individual who can somehow impart the characteristics of a English gentleman to a 12-month-old child, strikes me as idealistic and impractical," he commented.
"Based on my background, engaging a distinctly UK tutor from early childhood will will not automatically create the goal they desire.
"I did not have that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to experience many of the opportunities they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, self-identity cannot be forced from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, Britishness is something Adam thinks can be instructed – and sold.
"I think the fact that the global community views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
