4 ms·

>> the legitimate interest of the state in supporting marriage and reproduction. Why is that a legitimate interest of the state?

• throwanem 10y ago
  Because it perpetuates the state's existence.
  • 7952 10y ago
    You don't need state intervention to encourage people to reproduce. I am sure that groups that believe in waiting until marriage to have sex would acknowledge church marriages as they always did. Cynically you could argue that the state benefits far more from dysfunctional families who are more likely to become dependant. I would rather the government spend money on sex education and contraception for teens than supporting married couples.
    • throwanem 10y ago
      Indeed you don't, but there's a lot the state can do to encourage and facilitate children being reared in stable families which can prepare them for an adult life which is a net benefit to their society. Your cynical argument has value as well. The trouble is that the only even temporarily stable state thus produced is a single-party state, and you can't really kick everyone off the dole once you've finished using it to get where you want to go. It's an ongoing cost whose magnitude is only ever likely to grow over time, and the probable economic result is frightening.