Saw a delightful column in the New York Times the other day about Taking Marriage Private.
WHY do people — gay or straight — need the state’s permission to marry? For most of Western history, they didn’t, because marriage was a private contract between two families. The parents’ agreement to the match, not the approval of church or state, was what confirmed its validity.
It is unfortunate that this view is not more frequently expressed. Marriage is not (or should not be a political or government issue. It is best handled as a private contract. Any associated financial obligations eg children can be addressed within the contract.
Perhaps public notice needs to be given about the relationship but otherwise there is no need for government approval and regulation
The gay straight controversy would evaporate
Posted by: russ Bankson | February 07, 2008 at 04:02 PM