Live-in relationship vs marriage: A decision that changes lives

In 2022, we still have an option between going for a live-in relationship vs. marriage, but it is still a debatable topic due to its pros and cons as per mindsets. There are laws being passed now that make live-in a viable option today, but still there is so much more to it today.
Earlier, the idea of breaking up, and divorce were taboos and something that was considered by very few.We see so many couples living together but leading a separate life under the same roof as they feel separation may affect the kids negatively. In the elder generation, women would often endure it all and so did men because marriage meant a bond that was “made by the heavens”. However, today, couples consider a live-in relationship, check out the compatibility, and then they opt to marry. A concept that many from the older generation see no sense in. For them, if you are living together and doing what you would do after marriage, then why not give it a name, sign the papers and be a “legal” couple. Many from today’s generation would say that marriage is like an official pass to having sex and procreate.
The old school may say that marriage means responsibility, deep love and a union of families, while the new school would argue that in a live-in relationship, you are not bound, your wings aren’t clipped and families are hardly involved.
In the West, the concept of a live-in is very normal. Having kids outside marriage is very common, but when we look at the Indian “society”, you will certainly be looked down upon. Here, in our country, your business is everyone’s business, a sad truth indeed.
If you do get married, there is a very complicated way out of it. First, your parents will ask you not to even consider a divorce because “what will people say?” Then your colleagues will do what they do best… go “hawww” behind your back even if you were unhappy and non-productive at work while being married to that man or woman. If you have kids, you have to consider a whole different world. Kids need a healthy atmosphere to grow in, hence custody is the key issue. Then how can we forget the financial assets? If you were a homemaker while married, how would you manage then? The emotional attachment to not just the people, but your marital home too needs to be looked at.
If you decide to be in a live-in, the insecurity it can give can be massive. Will he/she commit, what if they bring over another person for the night since there is no commitment? Will the parents be okay with this notion? Will we even get a place to stay, since people are very particular about these things when they rent out. Pregnancy and even safety are a major concern today, given the bizarre cases that pop up in our notifications every other day.
There is so much to consider, even if it is our personal life. Listening to our hearts is very rarely a choice because we are so much under the “societal pressure” even if we are sharing badass quotes on our WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram status today.
If given a choice, what would you consider? Let’s say there is no societal pressure, you can do whatever you like with your personal life, will you still go for a marriage or would you prefer a live-in? Let us know in the comments section below.
Read also: 5 zodiac signs with a good sense of humor
Read also: Weekly career horoscope: July 17th to July 24, 2022
Reads also: 5 advices I wish was given before I got married even if it is a love marriage