"A household based in the northern part of London wants to find an exceptional and skilled instructor to guide their smallest child on his early path to turning into an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might readily overlook the phrase "first-steps" as simple a turn of phrase.
However, it might be the most significant aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it seeks to find a mentor for a 12-month-old.
Numerous of applications have now been received since the unidentified family published their request for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the advert has received attention across the media, with many asking why?
Innovative Idea
A tutoring expert, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their search, said that in spite of first doubt, he viewed the concept "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he spoke with the family, he noted they recognized the unconventional character of their requirement, and how immature their son is.
However, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that stage "cultural bias had already taken hold".
What exactly does the family indicate by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", he answered. "How you eat, the way you speak".
He stated the older sibling had picked up "extremely delicate, unspoken signals" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family told Adam they did not want this pattern to happen again with their new baby.
The strategy: To engage a UK tutor, who needs to speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the education at the beginning here is kind of acquired indirectly," stated Adam.
It's through this osmosis that the family are expecting the child will acquire the English characteristics they want to cultivate.
Adam explained the tutor needed to be someone who attended "the right kinds of schools – similar types of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The tutor just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to him the chosen tutor should preferably also have understanding of or interest in equestrian activities, skiing, artistic pursuits and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a diverse set of interests.
Furthermore though, he explained the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son become a "British gentleman" will lead to success and open doors.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he notes.
But, despite all this guidance in "UK identity", would the child absorb alleged cultural bias from the globally influenced family he is raised by in any case?
"Absolutely", answered Adam. "The family know this may not work, but they've merely embraced the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and we should start as quickly as we can', because the price of it is irrelevant," he said.
Impractical
There are some in the education sector who share similar reservations.
An education leader, head and founder of Blue Education, who also offer personal educators, commented that "the development of becoming bicultural, or in fact, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
Peter wrote that he had moved from Asia to the United Kingdom at the period of childhood, and had been educated understanding and embodying dual heritages. He progressed to be educated at the University of Cambridge.
"The concept that a single person can serve as a embodiment of Britishness, someone who can in some way transfer the characteristics of a UK sophisticate onto a one-year-old child, strikes me as optimistic and impractical," he commented.
"In my experience, having a distinctly British tutor from early childhood will will not automatically produce the result they desire.
"I wasn't provided with such a figure, and yet I have been fortunate enough to enjoy numerous of the experiences they desire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, personal identity should not be dictated from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Certainly, English culture is something Adam believes can be taught – and commercialized.
"I think the situation that the international society views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
