Daniel and his wife are embarking on an unconventional journey to instill “Britishness” in their young child through the guidance of a specialized tutor. Danny and Charlie both feel that acclimating their child to British culture and values from a young age will be important. It’s a claim they can’t back up, because cultural bias begins to set in by the age of five. Their search for the perfect tutor has sparked a nationwide conversation, delving into the issues of education, privilege, and cultural identity.
The indomitable couple has enlisted the help of Adam Caller, the CEO of Tutors International. They are certainly not seeking out a tutor who dons the mantle of British values or speaks with Received Pronunciation. This decision reinforces their wish for their child to be raised with the values of a “British gentleman.” This tutor will be traveling abroad with the family for work next year. Whatever the reason, this decision on their part demonstrates a tremendous commitment to their child’s education.
By the age of three, the child is expected to engage in classes such as pony riding and instrument lessons. Daniel and his wife aim to teach emotional intelligence alongside traditional skills, preparing the child for a future increasingly influenced by Artificial Intelligence. Their bigger dream includes a much wider range of activities from equestrianism to winter sports, cultural activities, and musical events.
Adam Caller, founder of Tutors International, believes that an English education and accent is invariably associated with being well-read and well-educated. He refers to the experiential learning process as “osmotic.” This will force the child to absorb British characteristics through osmosis rather than through pedagogy. Adopting this approach furthers the family’s wish for Aman’s form to contribute to the vibrant cultural identity. It further serves to bolster their own sense of personal meaning.
To help execute this mission, an etiquette instructor named Laura Windsor will be the vision’s backbone. Conversational etiquette, including how to address someone, the stepping stones of social conversation, appropriate dress and even the mechanics behind an afternoon tea Windsor covers it all. She articulates the importance of manners by stating, “It’s about opening doors, and saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, and thinking about the other person.”
Daniel expresses a nuanced perspective on British culture, stating, “Far from leaning into English, British values, we wanted the total opposite. We are trying to go away from the UK system and the straight-jacket of that.” Such sentiment echoes the passion with which many parents wish to imbue their child with a cultural identity that breaks away from the rigid contours of traditional Britishness.
The mom and the family are on a hypercompetitive quest to find a tutor who went to Harvard. This shows their commitment to giving their child an extraordinary education and world-class opportunities. They hope that the bond that they have developed through this investment will take their returns even further in terms of youth development and community connections.
As they chart these new courses in our changing educational landscape, Adam Caller explains why the debate about education and privilege is shifting. “The market for buying Britishness includes etiquette academies like Laura Windsor’s,” he explains. This recognition shines a light on the complexities that exist when attempting to create cultural identity through formal K-12 education.
“Windsor frames her thoughts on how an early upbringing can help foster the attributes we want to see in our future leaders. “Starting at one, they will grow up being a gentleman, and therefore it’s not a question of ‘tweaking’, it’s who they are.” This view supports the family’s conviction that starting these attributes young is key.
The family’s unconventional approach is sure to provoke some serious fodder for thought about cultural identity. A statement attributed to Daniel suggests that “the truth is, cultural identity cannot be imposed from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must come from within.” This raises an unexpected insight that underscores the value of personal agency and choice in forging one’s authentic cultural identity.