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"A family based in north London seeks an remarkable and qualified educator to assist their smallest child on his initial journey to becoming an English gentleman."

Looking at this advertisement, you might easily skip the term "initial stages" as just an expression.

However, it may be the most significant element of this unusual job advert, as it attempts to hire a tutor for a infant.

Many of responses have since been sent in since the unidentified family advertised their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".

During the past few weeks, the advert has attracted attention throughout the media, with many asking why?

Innovative Idea

Adam Caller, head and founder of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their search, explained that notwithstanding initial doubt, he viewed the plan "visionary", and "progressive".

When he spoke with the family, he mentioned they understood the unconventional character of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.

Nevertheless, 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 exactly does the family refer to by "cultural bias"?

It's "comprehensive", he replied. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".

He stated the firstborn had absorbed "really subtle, unspoken signals" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family told Adam they wished to avoid this pattern to happen again with their younger child.

The strategy: To hire a UK tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to influence the baby right from the beginning.

Subtle Influence

"Much of the education at the start here is somewhat acquired indirectly," stated Adam.

It's through this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will adopt the UK customs they want to cultivate.

The consultant said the tutor must be someone who went to "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family plan to send their son to".

"The educator simply needs to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.

Expense Not a Factor

The family told Adam the selected educator should preferably also have familiarity of or interest in equestrian activities, skiing, creative fields and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a wide range of interests.

Furthermore though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to enrol the child on a selection of classes so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an musical instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".

In the family's perspective, helping their son become a "British gentleman" will lead to accomplishment and open doors.

"Taking into account the rights and wrongs of that, because it's undoubtedly a class statement," he comments.

Yet, despite all this guidance in "UK identity", would the child absorb alleged cultural influence from the international family he is raised by regardless?

"Yes", answered Adam. "They know this might not succeed, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as soon as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he explained.

Overly Optimistic

A number of in the private teaching field who share these concerns.

Peter Cui, chief executive of an educational organization, who supplies personal educators, stated that "the development of embracing two identities, or in fact, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."

The expert noted that he had relocated from Asia to the UK at the age of 7 years old, and had been raised knowing and practicing two backgrounds. He continued to be educated at Cambridge University.

"The notion that a single person can act as a representation of UK identity, a person who can possibly transfer the characteristics of a British gentleman upon a 12-month-old child, appears optimistic and unfeasible," he stated.

"In my experience, engaging a typically UK tutor from infancy will will not necessarily create the outcome they want.

"I wasn't provided with such a figure, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to live numerous of the experiences they desire for their son."

He continued: "The reality is, self-identity can not be dictated from the outside influences; it must be selected, and it must originate internally."

Acquiring Englishness

Certainly, UK identity is something the CEO thinks can be educated – and marketed.

"I think the fact that the international society regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating