"A household residing in the northern part of London seeks an remarkable and experienced educator to guide their smallest child on his initial journey to becoming an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might naturally miss the phrase "initial stages" as simple figurative language.
But, it could be the most significant part of this distinctive position posting, as it aims to recruit a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Hundreds of submissions have now been submitted since the unnamed family advertised their request for the £180,000 per year tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the post has attracted attention in the news, with many asking why?
Innovative Idea
The CEO, chief executive of Tutors International, which is helping the family in their hunt, stated that notwithstanding initial doubt, he viewed the concept "far sighted", and "progressive".
When he met the family, he said they recognized the unusual character of their demand, and how young their son is.
However, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that age "cultural conditioning had by then set in".
But what did the family refer to by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", he answered. "How you eat, how you speak".
He explained the elder child had picked up "really subtle, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family explained to Adam they did not want history to repeat itself with their infant.
The intention: To engage a British tutor, who needs to speak with RP, to influence the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the education at the outset here is somewhat absorbed naturally," said Adam.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are expecting the child will pick up the British traits they aim to instil.
The consultant noted the tutor must be an individual who studied at "prestigious academies – comparable categories of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The instructor simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.
Expense Not a Factor
The family informed the expert the chosen tutor should preferably also have knowledge of or passion in horse riding, skiing, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of hobbies.
Furthermore though, he stated the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an musical instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's perspective, assisting their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will result in success and provide access.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he adds.
However, despite all this instruction in "Britishness", would the child absorb what is termed cultural influence from the globally influenced family he lives with anyway?
"Certainly", answered Adam. "The family understand this may not work, but they've just taken the view of, 'we should try and let's go as soon as we can', because the price of it is irrelevant," he explained.
Impractical
A number of in the education sector who have those reservations.
An education leader, CEO and founder of an educational organization, who supplies personal educators, commented that "the development of embracing two identities, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not engineered."
He noted that he had moved from China to the United Kingdom at the period of childhood, and had been educated knowing and practicing both cultures. He continued to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The idea that an individual can act as a embodiment of English culture, a person who can in some way transfer the characteristics of a British gentleman onto a one-year-old child, appears idealistic and unrealistic," he wrote.
"Based on my background, employing a quintessentially English tutor from babyhood will will not instantly produce the outcome they want.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to enjoy numerous of the opportunities they aspire for their son."
He added: "The reality is, personal identity cannot be forced from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Buying Britishness
Certainly, UK identity is something the CEO believes can be educated – and commercialized.
"I believe the reality that the global community views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
