Acceptance

The media -- television, in particular -- has opened up the possibility of an alternate lifestyle; youngsters who already feel weighed down by family values, culture, joint family systems and arranged marriages say they see a live-in relationship as a viable alternative.

Actress Jasvir Kaur, aka Anju of K Street Pali Hill, is living in with her beau Aziz of Uuf kya Jaddoo Mohabbat Hai fame.

"Living-in means more freedom and more space. It feels good to be in boyfriend-girlfriend mode while still enjoying the benefits of being married. It feels different," she says.

Aziz adds, "To live-in was a much more convenient and feasible option; it allowed both of us to see more of each other. The legality of marriage can make it quite messy at times, if things don't work out."