Youth Incorporated Magazine

Live in relationships are more common than you might think. Everyone has different thoughts and perceptions which would lead them to accept or disapprove of such relationships. While there are many reasons for a couple to decide to move in together, it involves a certain kind of responsibility- one that you might need to evaluate yourself on before you decide to take this step in your relationship.

The very advantage of being in a live-in relationship, is its biggest disadvantage- Lack of Commitment. It is assumed that human relationships are weak and complex. Because of all the pressure and responsibilities that come with marriage, couples prefer being in cohabitation to satisfy their various needs. However, a married couple will make every possible effort to save their relationship, and seek solutions to problems and misunderstanding before splitting up than the people in a live-in relationship. Despite the many debates that spark in the minds of people when it comes to live-in relationships, there are positives and negatives to the same.

Pros

A live-in relationship is like a marriage without all the legalities and responsibilities. You get to know your partner better, and understand the other at a much deeper level. Sometimes, couples opt for a live-in relationship before they can get married to experience what it is like before you take it a step further. This is beneficial as you can evaluate the areas that you both may need to work on or if you really want to be married to your partner.

For some, it is just the pure bliss of waking up next to each other every morning, constantly being in each other’s presence and going to bed together. Some choose a live-in relationship because they cannot handle the type of commitment a marriage entails. In such cases, the couple finds that living together without the legalities suits them and their life better. They probably do not want to risk being tied up in a messy divorce battle, should the relationship break down.

Cons

Social Censure is a great disadvantage of live-in relationship. Society finds it hard to accept such a relationship open-heartedly. It is considered as non-acceptable especially by the older generation. Couples in such type of relationship are often harassed by the society for their choice. Another disadvantage is the lack of commitment.  Any quarrel or fight can lead to a split, whereas in a marriage a fight is often followed by reasoning and resolving.

A long time into the relationship, one of the partners may feel ‘suffocated’ in the relationship due to the lack of personal space. Some may even feel a sense of monotony which causes trouble for the relationship and could eventually lead to a heart-breaking split.