"A household residing in north London seeks an extraordinary and qualified instructor to assist their smallest child on his first steps to growing into an British gentleman."
Looking at this listing, you might naturally skip the term "first-steps" as simple a turn of phrase.
But, it could be the crucial aspect of this distinctive job advert, as it aims to recruit a tutor for a infant.
Numerous of submissions have since been submitted since the unidentified family advertised their request for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the listing has received interest across the media, with many asking why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is helping the family in their hunt, stated that despite early skepticism, he considered the idea "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they appreciated the unusual character of their requirement, and how young their son is.
But, they clarified that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already set in".
But what did the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam answered. "The way you eat, how you speak".
He said the firstborn had picked up "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural ways. The family told the consultant they wished to avoid this pattern to recur with their younger child.
The plan: To hire a UK tutor, who needs to speak with standard English accent, to influence the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"A lot of the education at the outset here is kind of osmotic," stated the expert.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will adopt the UK customs they wish to cultivate.
He explained the tutor had to be someone who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in riding, winter sports, the arts and music so as to inspire the child in a diverse set of hobbies.
Additionally though, he said the family desired the tutor to enrol the child on a variety of classes so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's perspective, helping their son become a "UK sophisticate" will result in success and open doors.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a social class indicator," he adds.
Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "English culture", would the child pick up alleged cultural bias from the globally influenced family he is raised by in any case?
"Yes", replied Adam. "The family know this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and we should start as early as we can', because the cost of it is not a concern," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the education sector who express similar concerns.
Another CEO, chief executive of an educational organization, who provides private tutors, stated that "the journey of becoming bicultural, or actually, forming one's identity, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
Peter noted that he had moved from the Far East to the UK at the time of 7 years old, and had been educated knowing and practicing both cultures. He continued to study at Cambridge University.
"The idea that an individual can serve as a embodiment of Britishness, someone who can possibly transfer the characteristics of a British gentleman onto a infant child, seems to me optimistic and unrealistic," he commented.
"Based on my background, employing a typically British tutor from early childhood will not instantly create the goal they want.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to live many of the situations they desire for their son."
He added: "The fact is, self-identity can not be dictated from the outside influences; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Purchasing UK Culture
Certainly, UK identity is something Adam hopes can be educated – and sold.
"I think the fact that the world holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
