Is a live-in relationship more convenient than a marriage?

Posted on October 11, 2008 in Love Marriage, Marriage Proposals

The legalization of ‘live-in’ relationships in Maharashtra has raised a great controversy all over India. But then the question that arises here is, why is it that more and more people prefer to have a temporary live-in than to have the permanent baggage to a marriage? How come a society as conservative and as traditional as the Indian society has given place to an idea as modern as ‘live-in’?
Marriage is considered to be the sacred bond between a man and a woman. So is the concept of ‘live-in’ immoral? Just because there is no law in support of the concept of live-in it is looked down upon. When the government is ready to acknowledge the existence of live-in relationship in India and is making legal arrangements, why has it become a social issue?
There are many individuals and couples who are in support of the legalization of live-in relationships in India today. The very famous film maker, Shyam Benegal told PTI: “It a very good step as it will not only protect the rights of women who enter into a live-in relationship but will also be helpful to the children from such relations in getting their rights in future.” A very valid point indeed, but besides the issue of security it is also a matter of personal choice.
The truth is that a live-in relationship is a healthy way of avoiding the baggage that a marriage comes with. If two individuals are willing to experiment with their relationship, then it is not right for the whole society to interfere into the matter. And what right does the society have to interfere in the personal life of two individual anyway? And honestly, the society comes in the picture only during the whole ceremony of marriage, ‘to grace the occasion with their presence’. But when a couple is getting divorced, it’s only the two that stand before the court of law. Then why is the so called “concerned” society raising its voice against the live-in relationship?
It is only the age old tradition that they are trying to save. Then why do only that in the marriage department? If India is going all global and tech savvy and opening its arms to everything that comes with a tag of “international quality”, then why don’t we just drop the hypocrisy and accept live-in relationship as the reality of the day. It’s after all happening all over the place. Making it legal is only an obligation.
And practically speaking, how exactly does it matter that anything is legalized in India?

Comments

One Response to “Is a live-in relationship more convenient than a marriage?”

  1. Dhananjay on December 22nd, 2008 4:53 pm

    I think that it is not wrong to live in relationship but when ever any one do so in India then sosity consider them vegabond boy and girl , every one knows the reality inspite of that every one rase finger on them so pepole should reform their mind…..

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