A Critical Article on Live-in Relationship in Indian Context

Abstract

The institution of marriage has been recognized as a form of holy ritual in the Indian society since old times. The marriage ritual has been accepted as a never-ending relation since old times. The marriage has been recognized not only a relation between two persons but also between two families. In Hindu religion, the institution of marriage through seven rounds (phere) has been accepted as a relation for seven births. According to the changing chronology, there seem to be many new shades of the institution of marriage. Before coming of Hindu Marriage Act, 19551, there was no acceptance of marriage-dissolution in the Hindu institution of marriage. Through this Act, the husband and wife have been given the permission to divorce. As such, a new phase came to light in the institution of marriage. The increasing level of education has inspired awareness and the feeling of rights among the women. As a result, the women who were exploited and victims of their rights for years got aware of their rights. Under the traditional marriage, the role of women has been limited to the boundary of the house since old times. The social functional participation was very low. Their role in the family was just limited to prepare meals and to look after the children.