Supreme courts advocacy to live in relationships has come just in time when the new term - coined into our society from west - is gaining an unprecedented popularity. However, our preparedness to this term is still open to question.There are two facets to this issue - firstly the cultural aspect and secondly the legal aspect. Both law and Culture are a set of mores to be followed by a person in a society for his well being as well as the well being of the society. The only difference between them being that law is national in its approach where as culture is communal. Having said that, it is apt to notice that these norms ought be flexible as priorities, perspectives and lifestyles of people change with the changing face of time.
One of the reasons for prevalence of this term is urbanization. With growing urbanization and competition levels soaring high in the corporate world; working professionals are subjected extreme pressures. In such a high pressure life style, it is natural to seek an emotional support from a person of your choice. Though it can be found in a legally married life as well, it is easy to corner such a prospect given the responsibilities and commitments (additional pressure) which follow it. Adding on to it, is the undue importance given to cultural norms over personal happiness by the elderly of our society which further motivates youngsters to seek comfort in live in relationships. Another prominent factor which paved way to this culture is empowerment of women. With increasing percentage of literacy and working class among women; it is evident that today's women unlike 1980's are decisive and bold enough to defy inordinate imposition of these norms against their own will. Thus our ancestral cultural norms might end up being irrelevant in a few aspects with these changes taking place in our society. Instead of imposing an ancestral culture upon its children, our society must learn to leave the choice of culture to the discretion of an individual. As far as contentions in the light of preserving our cultural identity are concerned - it has to be understood that our cultural identity can only be preserved by highlighting the salient features of it, not by forcing our progeny to follow it. Hence, in this regard, a phenomenal change in the legal attitude of our country is commendable.
However, only a legal sanction to this issue is not enough. India is already plagued with a spate of social tensions in the name of caste, religion, region, financial strength and etc. Thus, it is in no position to host a new kind of social unrest which might emanate due to frequent break up of these relationships. These social issues will come to fore in the form of unhappy, underperforming individuals and a set of unwanted children. Our country is already muscling with several issues in regard to the later like inadequate skill building facilities, child labor and inordinate population growth; it can not afford to have a set of children - that too from urban parents - with psychological issues like rejection, under confidence and etc.
Thus, it is of at most importance for our Judicial bodies to send necessary directives to our govt. to educate youngsters with salient features of our cultural identity and set up psychological help facilities for children & couples which are evidently absent in our society.
