Live-in Relationships: Beyond the Taboo and Paranoia

Our society has been progressing from traditional to transitional and now heading towards a shift where we are maturing into new stages and phases of human existence. A world where both east and the west are experiencing huge archetype shifts not only geographically but also culturally and conceptually, with the cultural imperative driving the economic mechanisms.
In its quest for free-forming freedom and the need for absolute spirit, one such trending societal phenomenon across the globe is that of Live-in. One that has moved the static laws of several countries to make significant changes pertaining to this emerging social pattern.
Living together as a couple before the nuptials, how much ever derived as a concept from the western culture, is now largely prevalent in India as well. Beyond the taboo of being against the sanctity and sacredness of matrimony, constant scrutiny, judgment, and criticism, and the shifting legalities and battles of societal acceptance, the cohabitation of two people under a roof before marriage is becoming acceptable in certain parts, setups, and strata of society.
Although the concept seems to be derived from the modern era, it traces back to the history of mankind and the fact that society does undergo a cyclic evolution from time to time. Even with the hue and cry of developing a society that is closer to the essence of human life headed towards intellect and cognitive development, how much do we actually tolerate such paradigm shifts as social beings?
The legality of live-in relationships is still muzzled in our country and considered a sin and highly disapproved of to certain degrees. And this is evident in the rising threat and crime committed against couples who choose to live together before marriage to check their compatibility before they tie the knot. It is always debatable through the lens of legal and social issues and put to test with several incidents where such partners remain vulnerable to safety and security, not only from the torchbearers of social morality but also from one another many a time. If a child is born outside the realm of the law of marriage, then the fate of that child is always unguarded.
What we need to comprehend and decipher is that are we allowed to progress towards a more free-willed society or still forced to adorn the norms that revolve around the arrangements that mostly work on compromises and adjustments. And is free will a sign of progress or more of an individualistic approach towards life? Wherever we are headed, we should be ready to cut loose the staunch traditional beliefs, paranoia, and misconceptions, and be more open to accepting the changing patterns, mentality, and newer dimensions.
‘Nothing is permanent but change’. The moment we stop changing, we stop existing, but there is a limit to the extent to which a human can keep changing. Maybe that is why we mortals pave way for our future and pass on the torch to the next generation to carry through the process of change.

Jyoti Jha is an author, columnist, and globetrotter. A winner of ‘TOI Write India Season 3’. She contributes to both Hindi and English literature