[hect0r]

Why do people believe that this data is a "public good"? In the case of disputes between individuals, such as divorce, I do not accept that this information belongs to the general public and must be "emancipated". On the contrary, I believe that this is owned by the individual participants in the case and not the government or public. Only if they collectively agree to publish this material should it be available in public. There is no moral justification for the wholesale distribution and publication of material relating to other people's private lives and affairs.

[darkarmani]

> There is no moral justification for the wholesale distribution and publication of material relating to other people's private lives and affairs.

Should state recognized marriage be considered something that is considered private? If you want public recognition of your marriage it makes sense that it isn't private.

[tedunangst]

The only public record of your marriage is "X and Y got married." If your marriage included a prenup, that information is kept private. You don't have to state for the public record precisely why you feel like getting married. Seems fair the only public record of getting unmarried should be "X and Y got divorced."

[hect0r]

A marriage is a private contract between consenting parties just like any other. The state should not get involved.

[darkarmani]

Maybe that is how it should be, but that isn't how it is right now.

If you don't want public recognition of your marriage, I'm sure you could write up some private contracts, but it won't confer all of the same rights that a state-recognized marriage gets.