Coaching a Baby to Develop into an 'British Gentleman' – Is It Worth the Investment?

Child education concept
The company responsible for the advertisement states that what appears like "extravagance or peculiarity" is truly "intentional commitment in early learning".

"A household located in the northern part of London is looking for an remarkable and qualified tutor to guide their youngest child on his initial journey to turning into an British gentleman."

When reading this post, you might readily skip the phrase "initial stages" as just figurative language.

However, it could be the most important element of this unique position posting, as it aims to find a mentor for a one-year-old.

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

During the past few weeks, the post has received attention across the media, with many asking why?

Forward-Thinking Method

The CEO, head and founder of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their quest, stated that in spite of initial skepticism, he found the plan "far sighted", and "innovative".

When he spoke with the family, he noted they appreciated the unconventional nature of their requirement, and how young their son is.

Nevertheless, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that age "cultural influence had by then become established".

But what did the family indicate by "cultural leaning"?

It's "all-encompassing", he answered. "How you eat, how you speak".

He explained the firstborn had adopted "really subtle, unspoken signals" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family told Adam they did not want this pattern to repeat itself with their new baby.

The strategy: To bring in a English tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to influence the baby from the very start.

Tutoring discussion
Tutors International state the listing has initiated a larger debate about how households view schooling, elitism and the part of cultural environment in learning.

Osmotic Learning

"Much of the learning at the beginning here is kind of acquired indirectly," said the CEO.

It's through this natural absorption that the family are expecting the child will acquire the English characteristics they want to cultivate.

The consultant noted the tutor had to be someone who went to "the appropriate educational institutions – comparable categories of schools as the family hope to send their son to".

"The educator simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.

Money No Object

The family explained to him the chosen tutor should preferably also have understanding of or interest in riding, skiing, creative fields and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a diverse set of hobbies.

More than that though, he said the family desired the tutor to register the child on a range of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an instrument by the time they are around three years old".

In the family's view, assisting their son develop into a "British gentleman" will bring about success and provide access.

"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he adds.

But, notwithstanding all this instruction in "English culture", might the child adopt what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he resides with regardless?

"Absolutely", answered Adam. "They understand this may not work, but they've merely embraced the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he said.

Overly Optimistic

There are some in the tutoring industry who share those concerns.

Peter Cui, CEO and founder of an educational organization, who supplies private tutors, stated that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or actually, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."

He explained that he had emigrated from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the time of 7 years old, and had been brought up experiencing and living two backgrounds. He progressed to learn at Cambridge University.

Peter Cui portrait
The educator was the first individual hailing from mainland China to be selected to the role of Financial Officer of the university debating society.

"The concept that a single person can serve as a embodiment of Britishness, an individual who can in some way impart the attributes of a British gentleman onto a one-year-old child, strikes me as optimistic and unrealistic," he wrote.

"From my perspective, having a typically English tutor from early childhood will not automatically achieve the result they hope for.

"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to enjoy several of the experiences they desire for their son."

He stated: "The fact is, personal identity cannot be dictated from the outside; it must be selected, and it must originate internally."

Purchasing UK Culture

Certainly, UK identity is something Adam believes can be taught – and sold.

"I believe the reality that the world views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating

Shawn Gordon
Shawn Gordon

A seasoned digital strategist with over a decade of experience in creative technology and project management.