A Socio-Legal Analysis Of Live In Relationship: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Marriage is considered as important sacrament across all the religions. With the passage of time, the marriage institution is also changing because of various reasons. One of the important change being noticed is about the rising of Live in Relationship especially in urban areas. The increasing age of marriages, economic empowerment of women, employment opportunities, digital or virtual relationship, freedom of choice etc are considered as the few reasons of live in relationship. The paper discusses the historical and religious background of live-in relationships in India and its impact on the family institution in the society. The paper also tries to understand how and why the concept of cohabitation emerged and become so popular. It also discusses the downsides of cohabitation. Although cohabitation is a common phenomenon in the Western world, in India, it is still seen as being immoral and a means of destroying the sacred institution of marriage. The paper shall also explore the various social, psychological and legal dimensions of the live in relationship.