Why is it that people have such exacting standards for who they deem worthy as romantic partners, but assume that they will be alright spending the rest of their lives taking care of their children, no matter who they turn out to be? Is it because they plan to mold them, craft them to their specifications, to fulfill their needs, coerce them into being their caretakers in their old age? Or is it a matter of assumption -- that "one descended from me by blood must think and feel alike" -- despite speaking in the previous breath of how they vow to be different than their forebearers?

If they could, would they also craft their mates to their own specifications? Telling them right from wrong, instilling virtues, setting rules, and punishing them when they rebel. Choosing their outfits, their hairstyles, their gender identities. You say "no" to the thought of an artificial partner or child satisfying your needs, then quickly open the next app to specify the age, height, personality, salary, blood type of the one you wish to meet. If life gave you a choice between children to birth, would you also specify their weight, their face shape, their disposition? What would you use to filter their profiles? Obedience? Intelligence? Attractiveness?

Go forth, then. Craft your life as you see fit, to your own specifications. Find your king, your queen, your pawns, that you may advance forward your agenda. This is what you have chosen to do, with your freedom.