Live-in relationship and its effect

In the locality where I stay number of unmarried couples who stay together is high. It is not only the foreigners who practice such lifestyle, but Indians from all states practice it. The old men and women in the locality have also accepted the lifestyle. Nobody seems to be bothered by such arrangement.

Recently when a young married couple went in search of a place to stay on rent they were advised by the dealer to tell the landlord that they are an unmarried couple. Reason is that married couple generally does not move out quickly. Whereas unmarried couple moves out soon. And unless the tenant moves out the rent cannot be increased. And so with married couple landlord cannot make much money. Hence the advice by the dealer to lie about their marital status.

Point, however, is that society has accepted live-in relationships.

I cannot quite agree with such live-in relationship though it is common. Nobody doubts about such couples being in union sexually. And since this kind of union is the most intimate union between two individuals break up of the relationship later leaves a deep scar in the soul of both the individuals. And the rate of break up is pretty high. (I don’t have statistics but I keep hearing of break up stories.) But if one had not gone so far as to have sexual union the wound heals much quicker. Since those individuals who practice such lifestyle are those who are not in a position to give commitment for marriage, it is infinitely better for them to avoid such live-in arrangement so that if things take a different turn they won’t have to go through painful phase.

There is also other negative effect of this practice. As we come to accept the practice more and more, more and more break up will emerge. And as more and more break up results traditional idea of singleness and family will be diluted. Traditionally there are only singles and married individuals. There is no temporary arrangement as live-in relationship for those who cannot marry immediately. But as such arrangement becomes more and more common more people would like to experiment such sexual union without really having to be responsible enough to establish a home. But apart from damaging the individual does such arrangement damage the society? Well, I would prefer a society where everybody experiences joy and happiness; where people don’t struggle with guilt.

However, I can envision more and more single mothers if such practice becomes so widespread. Looking at the West it is so reasonable to argue that such envisioning is being realistic. I also think we need to learn from the West whether this practice is really healthy for a society or not. And I am sure if one does study one will conclude that single mother raising kids is not an ideal situation ‘specially when failed live-in relationship is the reason for such pattern.

I believe it is because Jesus Christ wants us to avoid such unfortunate situation that he tells us to avoid sexual intimacy before marriage.