I guess I'll add some more random thoughts:
Perhaps the implementation of the tube child program was due to the fact that
Deteis birth-rates were lower than that of the Civire and due to the social taboos surrounding Civire-Deteis intermarriage and to maintain population parity artificial methods were required. As to why the Deteis might have lower birth rates it could be anything really... genetic defects and infertility, Deteis couples having small families while Civire couples have large families, or disproportionate male/female ratios that means more Deteis remained single. As to why the program was phased out it could be as simple as the fact that in socially conservative society like the State with its strong emphasis on having "traditional family units" the influx of children raised outside of what would be considered "proper" might have put a lot of strain on the legitimacy of the program.
This
article does hint at the facts that:
- Tube children would be considered wards of the State.
- The Creches are run by the Child Services Department.
- The CSD subcontracts the running of orphanages to private firms.
- The entire orphanage/creche system in the State was/is potentially abused by unscrupulous contractors.
It very well might have become an open secret in the State when some of those tube children started growing up that certain aspects of the creche system was potentially dysfunctional and would have lead to concerned parties adopting wards of the State and the eventual termination of the tube child program.
Although there might be a strong argument that other forms of communal child-care would be common in the State which might have found its root during the years of the first Gallente-Caldari war when, if every possible man and woman was needed to fight or work in factories the only options for children would have been to be raised in communal schools away from the frontlines.
Modern corporate schools in the State might borrow from that tradition where children are away from home for extended periods of time to, "Foster their sense of communal identity and corporate spirit." It would probably make it easier to indoctrinate them with the messages the Megas want them to hold as deeply held beliefs through communal systems of education and lifestyle from when they are youths.
Well in terms of backgrounds their parents were executives who wanted to have "perfect" offspring to continue their legacies and had the means and access to ensure their children had the best possible chance in life through the genome therapies the tube child program offered?
I don't think it's too far-fetched to envision the upper echelons of State society using the tube child program to "donate" their zygotes to and then "adopt" the products of the program once they are conceived. Even in the ideally egalitarian and meritocratic State there's no doubt those who might be more equal than others due to their positions and familial ties that can probably bend the rules here and there, no?
It's a tricky one, isn't it? Whatever works, and clearly you've got background there already, but it tweaked some of my "this would be an exception to the norm, piled on top of other exceptions" sensors.
Yes, it's an exception. However it was one created in what I considered to be within the bounds of plausibility and was designed with the sole intent of introducing flaws in the characters in question that I can either build upon or people should be welcome to question at their leisure. However, I do play it out the way I think a Caldari would and that is by keeping their silence and ensuring the facade of perfection and meeting the standards of the State ideal is maintained.
I don't know... I just like characters that have their own imperfections because it makes things interesting. I also have a tendency to just think up things on the spot, say to myself, "Hey this makes sense and might be interesting, what could possibly go wrong." Then proceed to have my vicarious amusement as
everything goes wrong.