The law has been considered as a legitimate tool to regulate elements of the public sphere, though the private sphere was considered private and therefore beyond the law. This notion has been challenged over the past 50 years, particularly in relation to de facto relationships, marriage and family law. Why has law been developed to regulate these areas of the private sphere?

The law has been considered as a legitimate tool to regulate elements of the public sphere, though the private sphere was considered private and therefore beyond the law. This notion has been challenged over the past 50 years, particularly in relation to de facto relationships, marriage and family law. Why has law been developed to regulate these areas of the private sphere?