I get that the question of how to ask a girl’s father for her hand in marriage without him saying “no” is a stressful question. But if we’re dealing with a father traditional enough to desire first right of refusal, then I’d probably advise not asking him by way of an article explaining why you probably won’t give him grandchildren.

Ezra Klein is a former Prospect writer and current editor-in-chief at Vox. His work has appeared in the LA Times, The Guardian, The Washington Monthly, The New Republic, Slate, and The Columbia Journalism Review. He’s been a commentator on MSNBC, CNN, NPR, and more.