"A household located in the northern part of London is looking for an exceptional and qualified instructor to support their most junior child on his first steps to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this post, you might naturally overlook the phrase "first-steps" as mere a turn of phrase.
But, it may be the most important aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it attempts to recruit a mentor for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of applications have since been received since the unidentified family posted their search for the highly paid tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the listing has gained attention in the press, with many wondering why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is supporting the family in their hunt, explained that in spite of initial doubt, he found the concept "visionary", and "progressive".
When he met the family, he said they appreciated the atypical character of their demand, and how immature their son is.
But, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had by then taken hold".
But what did the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert answered. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the firstborn had absorbed "very nuanced, unspoken signals" from the family, and had assumed their cultural ways. The family told him they wished to avoid history to repeat itself with their new baby.
The strategy: To hire a British tutor, who must speak with standard English accent, to influence the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the development at the outset here is somewhat absorbed naturally," stated the expert.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are aiming the child will adopt the British traits they wish to cultivate.
Adam noted the tutor needed to be someone who went to "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The tutor just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be performing things they don't even know they're doing, simply by nature," he said.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to the expert the successful candidate should ideally also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a wide range of hobbies.
Furthermore though, he said the family hoped the tutor to register the child on a variety of lessons so the child would be "pony-riding and starting an musical instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's minds, guiding their son become a "English gentleman" will result in achievement and create opportunities.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's certainly a class statement," he notes.
However, in spite of all this tutelage in "Britishness", would the child pick up so-called cultural influence from the international family he resides with in any case?
"Absolutely", replied the CEO. "They realize this may not work, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
Several in the education sector who share those doubts.
Peter Cui, chief executive of Blue Education, who provides private tutors, commented that "the development of becoming bicultural, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not engineered."
Peter noted that he had emigrated from Asia to the Britain at the age of 7 years old, and had been brought up experiencing and living dual heritages. He went on to learn at Cambridge University.
"The notion that a single person can serve as a representation of Britishness, an individual who can in some way impart the attributes of a English gentleman onto a infant child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he wrote.
"From my perspective, employing a typically British tutor from babyhood will will not instantly produce the outcome they hope for.
"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to enjoy numerous of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He stated: "The truth is, cultural identity cannot be dictated from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must be internally driven."
Purchasing UK Culture
Naturally, UK identity is something the CEO hopes can be taught – and marketed.
"I think the situation that the world holds us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
