"A family based in the northern part of London seeks an extraordinary and qualified instructor to support their smallest child on his initial journey to becoming an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the term "first-steps" as mere a turn of phrase.
Yet, it might be the crucial aspect of this unusual position posting, as it seeks to hire a tutor for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of responses have now been sent in since the anonymous family posted their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "someone very special".
During the past few weeks, the post has gained notice in the news, with numerous wondering why?
Innovative Idea
A tutoring expert, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their quest, said that in spite of early doubt, he viewed the idea "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he spoke with the family, he noted they understood the unusual character of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
But, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had by then become established".
What precisely does the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "all-encompassing", he responded. "The way you eat, how you speak".
He said the older sibling had picked up "really subtle, unspoken signals" from the family, and had taken on their cultural ways. The family told him they did not want this pattern to recur with their new baby.
The intention: To engage a British tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby right from the beginning.
Subtle Influence
"A great deal of the development at the outset here is somewhat osmotic," said the CEO.
It's by means of this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will acquire the UK customs they wish to impart.
The consultant noted the tutor must be an individual who went to "prestigious academies – 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 doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Money No Object
The family explained to the expert the selected educator should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, creative fields and music so as to inspire the child in a diverse set of hobbies.
Additionally though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to enrol the child on a range of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's perspective, helping their son develop into a "UK sophisticate" will bring about success and provide access.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he comments.
Yet, despite all this guidance in "English culture", might the child absorb alleged cultural leaning from the multicultural family he lives with in any case?
"Certainly", said he. "The parents understand this may not work, but they've just taken the view of, 'we should try and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he stated.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the education sector who have those doubts.
Peter Cui, head and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer individual instructors, stated that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or actually, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
Peter explained that he had emigrated from the Far East to the Britain at the period of seven, and had been raised understanding and embodying dual heritages. He went on to study at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that an individual can act as a embodiment of UK identity, an individual who can somehow transfer the attributes of a UK sophisticate upon a 12-month-old child, seems to me naive and impractical," he commented.
"Based on my background, having a distinctly English tutor from early childhood will will not necessarily produce the outcome they desire.
"I did not have that kind of mentor, and however I have been fortunate enough to enjoy several of the situations they desire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, self-identity should not be dictated from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, English culture is something Adam hopes can be educated – and commercialized.
"I believe the fact that the international society views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
