LIVE IN RELATIONSHIP: A CONTEMPORARY APPROACH TO PARTNERSHIP

When an unmarried couple choose to live together or cohabit for long-term and involved in sexual relationship, share domestic life without being legally married is called Live in relationship.

But the term live in relationship, not define in any act or statute. It is also not recognised by the law, but it is not illegal .

The Rate of divorce is increasing day-by-day. Even if in love marriage, divorce rates is high. Society needs to understand that marriage is not only between two person but also between two individual with different mentality opinion, nature character. Maybe both person are good in nature, but not necessarily compatible enough to live together for lifetime under one roof.

And the scenerio of society is very different as compared to passed era.

Now a person can not trust anyone without knowing him or her because there are many crimes In present time, which is unbelievable to accept.

- To understand each other

- To test compatibility

- To know their financial status is good enough or not to maintain themselves

- for the person who are legally prohibited to marriage like - LGBTQ

- To strengthening emotional bond

From tradition to modernity: a historic look at live in relationship Live in relationship is not a new concept, in Vedic Era also live in relationship was practiced by couple. in Veda There are 8 type of marriage that are -

1. Brahma

2. Daiva

3. Arsha

4. Prajapatya 

5. Asura

6. Gandharva

7. Rakshasa

8. Paishacha

Gandharva marriage and live in relationship have some characteristics in both concept. The similarities when both the person accept each other with all pros and cons and they want to live together. Then there is no need to take permission of society.

The growing trend of living relationship in India People slowly accept the concept, mostly in metropolitan city because they also understand the importance of living relationship now in arranged marriage also, people first want to know each other whether they can live together for lifetime or not, so they also prefer to live in relationship for a period before marriage.

It also encourage mutual respect and share responsibility without the traditional gender role.And it also offer more flexibility, allowing couple to grow at their own peace.

In 2006 in the case of Lata Singh v. State of UP it was held that in live in relationship between two considering adult of the opposite sex though it is immoral for society but doesn't amount to any offence under the law.

Live in relationship should be acceptable in society because it is not a crime or not an act, which effect other or harm other. It is decision of two individual and it is an important decision and question of life whether they can live together or not because they both individuals have to live after marriage, not the society, so the decision should be their not others.