The term “live-in relationships” garners much demonizing and moral policing by the society we live in. However, perceptions in context of live-ins genuinely are highly variable. For many, it is a shame in lieu of marriage and for others it is nothing but a stage of a relationship where two people only want to get to know each other better.
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Yes, It Is “Legal” If You’re Worried About That
To begin with, a decision of cohabitation between adults does not fall under legal scope of any court. Anyone can choose to live with anybody consensually.
For those who think of it as an invalid relationship between two adults, their perception is rooted by the strict definition of “marriage”. Some extremist thinkers presume that a live-in is a fraud in disguise of an “advanced relationship”. While, in reality, the Supreme Court of India has recognized a live-in relationship as a consensual agreement of adults to cohabit. In a recent case, where “maintenance in lieu of a live-in relationship” was the subject matter, the Apex Court even recognized live-in as a form of ‘deemed marriage’.
Getting To Know Each-Other
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The thought behind moving in together usually occurs when you’re three or four months into a relationship. And it is absolutely natural. Leading extremely busy lives on a daily basis does not leave a lot of time for you to nurture your relationship or pamper your partner. In the end, it starts to take a toll on your relationship.
If you choose to move in together, you will spend a lot more time together and discover your partner’s habits, patterns and lifestyle and a lot more. It instills a sense of maturity and belonging towards your significant other.
Check Your Compatibility
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For some, living is just finding bliss in waking up next to your partner. While for some, it is the only substitute to the heavily loaded term “marriage”. However, most people opt to move in together because they wish to unravel today whatever they need to work on in their relationship with rather than having to deal with unpleasant surprises later on. To be honest, divorces are a lot more painful and traumatic than separations after living in.
No Responsibility And Shared Responsibilities:
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Life as an adult is full of responsibilities when it comes to marrying. Responsibility towards your family, towards societal norms, towards family’s needs & wants and so on. But you have no such responsibility in a live in relationship.
Although, when you live in the same house, you’re jointly responsible for the house, expenses and to support each other as you would in a marriage. This sharing of responsibility can make your life so much easier.
As beneficial and enlightening as moving in is you need to ensure you still give each other enough space. Personal space is extremely important if you want to sustain your relationship. The whole idea of live in relationship is not to break barriers or be rebels against the social norms & diktats, but it is to make your adult life easier, more convenient and practical. It is also about love and its infinite consequences. And last but not the least; it is about you testing that love of yours.
