"Parents residing in North London seeks an extraordinary and qualified tutor to assist their smallest child on his early path to becoming an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this post, you might readily skip the wording "initial stages" as simple an expression.
Yet, it might be the most significant aspect of this distinctive job advert, as it aims to find a tutor for a 12-month-old.
Numerous of applications have already been submitted since the unnamed family posted their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the listing has received notice throughout the media, with many asking why?
Progressive Approach
The CEO, head and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is helping the family in their hunt, said that notwithstanding initial skepticism, he viewed the idea "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they appreciated the unconventional aspect of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
However, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already taken hold".
What exactly did the family refer to by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert replied. "How you eat, how you speak".
He explained the elder child had adopted "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family told Adam they hoped to prevent the same situation to repeat itself with their infant.
The strategy: To bring in a British tutor, who needs to speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the education at the start here is rather absorbed naturally," said Adam.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will adopt the English characteristics they aim to instil.
Adam noted the tutor had to be somebody who studied at "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The tutor must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told Adam the selected educator should preferably also have understanding of or interest in equestrian activities, winter sports, creative fields and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a diverse set of interests.
More than that though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's perspective, assisting their son become a "English gentleman" will bring about accomplishment and open doors.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he notes.
Yet, notwithstanding all this instruction in "UK identity", could the child pick up what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he lives with anyway?
"Certainly", answered he. "The parents understand this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'we should try and let's go as soon as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he stated.
Impractical
Several in the education sector who express these doubts.
Peter Cui, chief executive of Blue Education, who supplies individual instructors, stated that "the process of embracing two identities, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
Peter explained that he had moved from China to the United Kingdom at the time of childhood, and had been raised experiencing and practicing two backgrounds. He went on to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The idea that a single person can act as a representation of Britishness, a person who can somehow impart the characteristics of a British gentleman onto a one-year-old child, seems to me naive and unfeasible," he commented.
"From my perspective, having a distinctly English tutor from infancy will not instantly achieve the goal they desire.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and however I have been lucky enough to enjoy several of the situations they hope for their son."
He stated: "The reality is, personal identity cannot be imposed from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Naturally, English culture is something Adam thinks can be instructed – and commercialized.
"I believe the situation that the international society views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
