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"A household based in the northern part of London is looking for an remarkable and experienced educator to guide their smallest child on his early path to becoming an British gentleman."

Upon seeing this post, you might naturally miss the term "first-steps" as simple figurative language.

Yet, it could be the most significant aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it aims to hire a tutor for a infant.

Many of applications have now been sent in since the unidentified family advertised their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".

Over the last few weeks, the post has attracted attention across the press, with numerous questioning why?

Progressive Approach

Adam Caller, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their search, stated that despite early doubt, he viewed the concept "far sighted", and "progressive".

When he met the family, he mentioned they understood the unusual nature of their demand, and how immature their son is.

But, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural influence had already taken hold".

But what does the family mean by "cultural leaning"?

It's "everything", the expert responded. "The way you eat, the way you speak".

He explained the older sibling had picked up "very nuanced, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had adopted their cultural habits. The family explained to the consultant they hoped to prevent this pattern to repeat itself with their infant.

The intention: To engage a British tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to guide the baby from day one.

Subtle Influence

"A great deal of the education at the beginning here is somewhat absorbed naturally," explained the expert.

It's through this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will adopt the British traits they wish to instil.

He noted the tutor needed to be an individual who attended "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".

"The tutor just has to be the right kind of person, they'll be performing things they may not realize they're doing, just naturally," he said.

Cost Not Relevant

The family explained to the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or passion in horse riding, alpine skiing, creative fields and music so as to influence the child in a diverse set of hobbies.

More than that though, he said the family desired the tutor to enrol the child on a variety of courses 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 view, assisting their son become a "English gentleman" will result in achievement and provide access.

"Considering the rights and wrongs of that, because it's certainly a status symbol," he adds.

Yet, notwithstanding all this tutelage in "UK identity", might the child adopt what is termed cultural leaning from the globally influenced family he resides with in any case?

"Absolutely", replied Adam. "The family know this might not succeed, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as early as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he said.

Overly Optimistic

A number of in the private teaching field who express these reservations.

Another CEO, chief executive of a tutoring service, who supplies individual instructors, commented that "the process of becoming bicultural, or actually, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not designed."

He wrote that he had emigrated from Asia to the UK at the time of seven, and had been raised knowing and practicing both cultures. He continued to be educated at a prestigious UK institution.

"The notion that a single person can act as a representation of UK identity, a person who can in some way transplant the characteristics of a UK sophisticate onto a infant child, seems to me optimistic and unrealistic," he wrote.

"Based on my background, engaging a typically British tutor from early childhood will will not necessarily create the result they hope for.

"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to live many of the opportunities they aspire for their son."

He added: "The truth is, personal identity should not be imposed from the outside; it must be embraced, and it must originate internally."

Acquiring Englishness

Of course, Britishness is something the CEO hopes can be taught – and sold.

"In my view the fact that the international society views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating