Marriage Withering

"Marriages are made in heaven" is an old saying. Institute of marriage, considered as a union of two bodies, minds and hearts and blessed by God Himself is under threat. It is slowly withering away and being replaced by live in relationship. In Canada, more than 50% are in live in relationship. Both the systems have their plus and minus considerations.

To live in a society one has to abide by certain social norms. Secondly, there is no commitment without marriage. A social and emotional security that a girl looks for in a relationship is lacking without marriage. An emotional support, the little good things in life that we look forward to when one comes home after a day’s hard work can never be replaced by any form of live in arrangement. Thirdly, future of children is definitely at stake without marriage. There is also a respectability attached to a married couple and looked up to in any social function,when a couple lives together outside of marriage, it is called a live in relationship. If one likes a person and start living with him/her, the very next morning, i might wake up and start liking someone else and move in with that person. This will encourage the ‘Animal Farm’ culture.
In a live in relationship one gets nothing. There is no foundation for that relationship except for momentary physical attraction and moment these needs are met, one starts finding fault with his/her partner and walk out. Marriage binds some sort of discipline.

If there are so many minus points for live in relationship, then why are so many young couples adopting this arrangement? Firstly, the economics are forcing live in relationships. Accommodation in big cities is so expensive that young couples have no option but to resort to a live in arrangement.
Young couples are afraid of problems of divorce, dividing up property, alimony and issue child custody etc.

Looking at pros and cons, it emerges that there is no commitment in a live in relationship, but at same time one always wants to know his/her partner. When we date someone, we see the best in that person. But when we interact with the same person more closely, we see the best and the worst in him/her. An extended courtship period gives a good outlook for a would be marriage. It should be a step towards marriage. One must realize that no matter how advanced and modern we may become, there is always some near and dear ones around you who might get hurt because of one’s live in status.
Marriage is a tradition while live in is a trend. Trends come and go but traditions are maintained.