A taste of the spirit

For those with an outsider's perspective, living-in seems like just another ploy to get a partner into bed; in some cases, this is true. But that's not all there is to it, is there?

Terming it as a try-it and buy-it approach, Glen Aguiar, a sound engineer with Star TV says, "Cinema has, to an extent, given it more attention. It has certainly not created the culture though, and shouldn't be blamed entirely for this. If a person thinks it is 'cool' to live-in with someone, he or she is possibly doing it for all the wrong reasons."

Farah*, a media executive in an ad agency, outlines the reasons why she would live-in.

"I genuinely think it is an important thing to do if you're not ready to settle down yet, but still want to experience what it would be like," she says.

What are the legal implications for the two partners involved?

"A live-in relationship does not bear legal sanctity as it is merely based on an oral understanding. It is not legally recognised anywhere in the world, including India. Hence, there are no obligations like maintenance in the case of divorce or desertion, property rights, etc," says Vikram Hegde, an advocate who has been practicing for the last 18 years.

However, children born of such a relationship would have certain rights vis a vis both parents, he adds.