Live- in relation is not new to anyone now. Thanks to the Hindi film industry for getting it in the limelight. I am neither in favor nor against the topic as it is very subjective. In the past few years I have come across some of my Indian friends who are into live-in relations. I have witnessed them from the beginning of their relation to the end of it. Though I have heard and read that in India this phenomenon is gearing up among the youth yet I cannot say what precisely are the reasons for they may be the same as here or may vary.

First and foremost, people here come far away from their home land to study or work and many a times they do not have families, local guardians or any known person around. It is not easy to visit home often. The lonely feeling forces them to search for someone with whom they can share their joys and sorrows. The emotional backing heals the loneliness. No one can deny or ignore infatuation for the opposite sex. The open culture worldwide, which supports the relationship, encourages youth to fall for live-in. They are also not hesitant as there are no family members visiting them so far to question their take on the issue.

Secondly if they are students then it lessens their financial burden by sharing the apartment with a live-in partner as PG concept does not exist here in Thailand and usually accommodations are expensive to afford.

So, the relation starts on his or her own conditions, conveniences and peril, without much consideration about the future. They share their living space, money, emotions, friends etc. initially. But life is not so rosy afterall. Neither is it a fairy tale nor a Hindi movie, which always ends on a happy note. The bubble of euphoria bursts when they have to face the fact that being an Indian they need to take certain serious decisions in the long run. During their relationship if they commit to each other life long and elders back home have no objections then they are the most fortunate ones. But unfortunately, I haven’t come across many such instances and have seen more break ups especially in case of girls. This gender carries bigger bags of emotions and has to bear more pains after break up.

I think there are many other issues also which become obstacles in going ahead and marrying. The most important ones are caste, religion etc. India has progressed a lot in the technological field but the mindset of society at large is still orthodox in terms of marriage, which is held as a very sacred and an important ritual. There are scores of other reasons too depending on the individuals.

So as a result a break up always lands the partners in trauma, heart break, pain, agony, broken trust, fear to carry any other relationship, being unfaithful to the future spouse etc. and they need much more extra time to get back to normal life!!

What then can be the solution for such a corrosive disease, which is slowly eating into the roots of our society and making the foundations so weak and unhealthy? Either the elders should accept the fast changing world, the mindset of the youth and their norms for the sake of their child’s happiness  or else the youth who are mature enough and understand their elders’ views, should give a deep thought to all the pros and cons of the issue before plunging into a live-in or any serious relationships. After all man is a social animal and has to live in this society only. But the harsh fact is that it is easy to preach but is it also equally easy to follow for one and all?