The Option.

Why 'marry' when you can 'live-in' is the option.

Decades back when the concept of live-in relationship first cropped up; society was
flabbergasted. How dare a couple cohabit without being legally bonded in matrimony asked a conservative lot. But those who dared to rebel, still chose to live-in. Today, with the number of live-in pairs having increased multi-fold, it is deeply ingrained in the DNA of the metro-culture, making it a norm. So much so, recently a supreme court bench headed by Justice Arijit Parayat declared that children born out of such a relationship will no longer be called illegitimate.

"The word marriage puts me off" would be a rude or not-so-satisfying reason as to why couples opt for live-in relationship over marriage. Fear of being taken for granted may be the other reason. Or marriage being defined as the boys getting their prey. Saving money, thrill and convenience also finds itself among the reasons. There are also excuses supporting the couples decisions to go for live-in. "I have the greatest respect for marriage and I guess I'll get there someday" or "There's just a piece of paper missing. May be someday, We'll get around and get that piece of paper. But to me, we are as married as we'd be if a priest read out some shlokas". These excuses contain a lot of guesses and maybe's, if's and but's which make this live-in option a bit 'wild'. For some, just the sheer thrill to be the odd one out has made them choose the 'wild' option.

While some feel marriage brings with it security and commitment others could feel boredom to go through the rigmaroles of filing in papers in the court of law.

India has still a long way to go to accept such a Bohemian lifestyle. It is taking baby steps towards it.

Whether one chooses to sign on a piece of paper and believe that their relationship is more authentic or one defies it for precisely the same reason it is a personal choice. Each couple has their own reasons to stay in that arrangement. But what's surely refreshing is the way the society is accepting radical changes.

Imagine the concept of a 'bastard child' being eradicated completely. Way to go!