Live-in Relationship: Will It Become an Alternative to Marriage?

The term "Live-in relationship" has been heard frequently in India since a decade. However, compared to Western countries, the percentage of people in live-in relationships in India is still very low. But over the past decade, the number of live-in relationships in urban areas has definitely increased.

Currently, after completing education and moving to metropolitan cities for work, many young men and women are not hesitating to live together with their partners. Though love stories are common, a growing number of individuals are opting to live together instead of formal marriage.

However, in smaller towns and villages, live-in relationships are still rare. In these areas, even if people live together for some time, they are not officially recognized as a live-in relationship. A live-in relationship is where a couple lives together without marriage and they mutually acknowledge their relationship. If the relationship is not formalized, it cannot be considered a live-in relationship.

In India, this trend is mostly visible among individuals who moved to cities for work, including people from North, South, and even Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada communities. After reaching their twenties, some couples openly choose to live together and continue their love stories. But, at present, live-in relationships are not seen as an alternative to marriage in India.

Many young individuals are inclined towards love, but the majority still follow the tradition of arranged marriages. Live-in relationships are only chosen by a small percentage of youth, and marriage remains the primary choice. Even if they do fall in love, they might either convince their families or marry without their consent. In India, there is still hesitation when it comes to live-in relationships.

There is also a category of informal live-in relationships, where individuals live together temporarily or to fulfill certain needs without any formal commitment. These relationships are often hidden from their families, and they may end once the individuals find other paths in life. For these individuals, live-in relationships are considered temporary, and they might not have faith in the longevity of their love stories.

Society still perceives live-in relationships with skepticism, and there is a lack of support from families, especially when it comes to obtaining official approval. While legally, live-in relationships are acknowledged, if disputes arise, it is unclear how the legal system would respond. Cases related to rape, domestic violence, or marital issues have shown different responses from courts.

In the recent past, a high court’s ruling on marital rape sparked debate, highlighting the lack of clear definitions within Indian legal systems. Similarly, laws concerning domestic violence often seem inadequate in providing protection. In such cases, it becomes difficult to determine the legal outcomes in live-in relationships if issues such as violence or rape arise.

Overall, while live-in relationships are becoming more common in India, they are still far less prevalent than marriage. The number of people openly acknowledging their live-in relationship is also relatively small compared to those who still opt for marriage. The concept of live-in relationships continues to face social stigma and legal uncertainties in India.