"Parents residing in the northern part of London is looking for an exceptional and qualified instructor to assist their youngest child on his first steps to growing into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might easily miss the phrase "first-steps" as mere figurative language.
Yet, it could be the most significant aspect of this unique employment listing, as it seeks to recruit a mentor for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of applications have now been received since the unnamed family advertised their search for the highly paid tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
In recent few weeks, the listing has attracted interest across the press, with numerous questioning why?
Progressive Approach
A tutoring expert, CEO and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their hunt, stated that despite first scepticism, he viewed the concept "far sighted", and "advanced".
When he consulted the family, he noted they recognized the unconventional aspect of their request, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to get a tutor, as they had postponed until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural bias had already set in".
What exactly does the family indicate by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", he replied. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He said the older sibling had picked up "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family explained to him they wished to avoid the same situation to happen again with their new baby.
The intention: To hire a UK tutor, who should speak with RP, to shape the baby right from the beginning.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the learning at the start here is kind of acquired indirectly," explained the CEO.
It's via this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will adopt the UK customs they wish to cultivate.
Adam noted the tutor had to be somebody who studied at "the right kinds of schools – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The tutor simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he added.
Money No Object
The family told the expert the successful candidate should preferably also have familiarity of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a diverse set of passions.
More than that though, he said the family desired the tutor to enrol the child on a range of lessons so the child would be "horseback riding and learning an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's perspective, helping their son become a "English gentleman" will bring about success and open doors.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a status symbol," he comments.
However, in spite of all this instruction in "UK identity", might the child pick up alleged cultural influence from the multicultural family he resides with regardless?
"Yes", said Adam. "They know this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not a concern," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
A number of in the tutoring industry who express similar doubts.
An education leader, CEO and founder of a tutoring service, who provides private tutors, commented that "the development of embracing two identities, or in fact, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
He explained that he had moved from Asia to the UK at the age of seven, and had been educated understanding and living two backgrounds. He went on to study at the University of Cambridge.
"The idea that one individual can act as a living vessel of Britishness, an individual who can somehow transfer the characteristics of a UK sophisticate to a 12-month-old child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he commented.
"From my perspective, employing a distinctly UK tutor from early childhood will does not automatically produce the outcome they desire.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and yet I have been fortunate enough to enjoy numerous of the situations they desire for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, personal identity can not be dictated from the external environment; it must be selected, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, UK identity is something the expert hopes can be instructed – and sold.
"I believe the fact that the global community holds us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
