In my college days the most popular topic for debate used to be 'love marriages and arranged marriages'. But these days it is to be changed to 'live in relationships or marriage' i guess. With the supreme court ruling that says no legal issues with live-in relationships, it just occured to me, is it only law which builds a healthy society? In a society like ours which took decades to accept the love marriages where even to this day there are people who attach
a stigma to the very idea, what good can a concept of 'live-in' do? 'Marriage' in itself is an idea which our people have given us for a better way of life. Just because it is followed from thousands of years it doesnt mean one has to discard it in order to be/be called 'modern'. What is it that makes a relationship- love or trust or commitment or responsibility or all of them? If it is a relationship of convenience, there is no place for all said above. Apart from emotional aspects, what could be other consequences?Looking at the statistics of dowry deaths, domestic violence, what is the guarantee that this law is not misused and doesnt result in undue effects on society. Of course it is undeniable that the institution of marriage comes with its own pros and cons. but does that mean live-in could be a substitute for that? what should we focus on- empowering women with more moral and legal support to have a successful life or should we resort to 'relationships of convenience' ? At the end, one cant stop thinking of this- what about the children of tomorrow? what values would be left to pass onto them and what could be expected of them??? All said and done, ultimately it is for an individual to decide , is it necessary to 'live-in' or can we -'leave it out'?
