The concept of live-in relationships is rapidly gaining
popularity among Indian urban dwellers.
Not exactly an aping
of the West, this is a phenomenon that indicates the growing need for
liberation, space and a modern outlook to life. However, do you think you know
all there is to know about live-in relationships? Make sure you read further
before you plunge into one.
A Precursor to
Marriage
If you are
considering a long-term relationship with your partner, consider the live-in as
a glimpse of how life would be with the same person. Ask yourself constantly if
you are OK with the way she dresses, keeps the house, manages the kitchen,
takes care of her finances, and behaves in front of others. Do you handle the
housework together, or does she do it all by herself? Do you split the finances
or is there awkwardness in that area? If you can imagine life married to her,
given her existing conduct, the live-in is worth it.
To Hide or Not to
Hide
Yet an unacceptable
social phenomenon among many, living-in with your partner may earn you many
raised eyebrows, especially from your family members. However, how open you are
about the relationship depends entirely on you. Hiding the fact is bound to
lead to surprise encounters and telling lies very often. On the other hand,
being open about it, though likely to generate criticism initially, is also
going to fetch you more space to discuss the relationship, take action upon it
when necessary and seek the confidence and advice of your close friends and
family when you need them.
Relationships that
Matter
A live-in
relationship is an excellent method to judge whether or not your partner is
capable of handling the other relationships in your life. Does she get along
well with your parents? Is she comfortable hanging out with your friends? Does
she think your siblings are fun? Similarly, it gives you the chance to discover
whether her parents can be the perfect ‘in-laws’ for you or not!
Compatibility
This is probably the
biggest and most important factor in a live-in relationship. While you are in a
live-in relationship, you are not bound to each other legally. Therefore, you
can assess whether or not you are compatible with one another during this
period. Is the sex continuously good? Is the passion for each other the same as
it was when you began dating? Do you still feel your heart skip a beat when you
see her wake up in the morning? Does she still give you a kiss when you meet
after a long day at work? These are all instances that help you decide the
potential for a live-in relationship to turn into something more long-term,
such as marriage.
Live-in relationships
are a widely accepted occurrence in today’s cosmopolitan lifestyles. However,
the partners in the relationship need to treat it as an important phase in
their lives that helps them decide the course of the rest of their lives
together!
