"A family based in North London seeks an exceptional and experienced instructor to guide their smallest child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might naturally miss the wording "beginning" as just an expression.
But, it could be the most significant part of this distinctive job advert, as it aims to recruit a tutor for a one-year-old.
Many of responses have since been submitted since the anonymous family published their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the advert has gained notice across the media, with numerous questioning why?
Forward-Thinking Method
A tutoring expert, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is helping the family in their hunt, explained that in spite of initial scepticism, he found the plan "far sighted", and "progressive".
When he met the family, he said they understood the unusual nature of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
But, they stated that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to get a tutor, as they had waited until their firstborn was five, and by that point "cultural influence had already set in".
What precisely did the family refer to by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert answered. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the older sibling had adopted "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural ways. The family informed him they did not want this pattern to recur with their new baby.
The intention: To bring in a English tutor, who must speak with standard English accent, to guide the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"A lot of the development at the outset here is kind of acquired indirectly," said the expert.
It's by means of this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will adopt the UK customs they aim to instil.
The consultant noted the tutor must be somebody who went to "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be performing things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he said.
Money No Object
The family told Adam the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or interest in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, the arts and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a wide range of interests.
Additionally though, he said the family wanted the tutor to enrol the child on a range of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and learning an musical instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son grow into a "English gentleman" will result in achievement and open doors.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he adds.
However, in spite of all this guidance in "Britishness", could the child absorb what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he resides with regardless?
"Absolutely", said the CEO. "The parents understand this may not work, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as quickly as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he explained.
Impractical
There are some in the tutoring industry who share similar reservations.
An education leader, chief executive of a tutoring service, who provides personal educators, commented that "the journey of embracing two identities, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not engineered."
He wrote that he had relocated from China to the United Kingdom at the period of childhood, and had been educated knowing and living dual heritages. He progressed to learn at the University of Cambridge.
"The idea that an individual can act as a representation of English culture, a person who can in some way transfer the attributes of a British gentleman upon a one-year-old child, appears naive and unfeasible," he stated.
"In my experience, engaging a typically English tutor from infancy will not instantly achieve the result they desire.
"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and yet I have been lucky enough to experience many of the experiences they desire for their son."
He stated: "The fact is, personal identity cannot be imposed from the external environment; it must be selected, and it must come from within."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, Britishness is something the expert hopes can be educated – and commercialized.
"I believe the situation that the international society holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
