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Disadvantages of live-in relationships. This is what we are going to discuss today. So you have been in a relationship for the last couple of years and you can feel things getting serious. You want to take your relationship to the next phase but are not ready for marriage yet. But are you sure living in will work for you?
The ‘married’ tag isn’t something that you can cope with just yet. We understand that. It entails too much responsibility and change in lifestyle than you would like. What’s best for you and your partner right now is a live-in relationship. But live-in relationships also come with its cons.
While moving in together will allow you and your partner to “take the relationship a step forward” without a change in labels. Definitely lesser responsibility than a marriage plus it’s the cool thing to do! But stop right there and think for a moment before you finalize. We will tell you why unmarried couples shouldn’t live together. Hear us out before you start getting angry.
What Is Meant By a Live-In Relationship?
A live-in relationship is when you and your partner decide to share your living space. Except, you do this without being married.
Live-in relationships are still perceived as a taboo in our society to a certain extent. However, I am happy to report that the stigma is certainly decreasing!
Related Reading: 7 Golden Rules For A Live-In Relationship
Our expert Madhuri Y educates us on how a live-in relationship is different from a marriage.
She says, “They are very similar when it comes to the aspect of sharing a space between two people. The difference lies in the involvement of your social circle in the relationship. Interaction and socialising with the family is limited. Whether you perceive family as a binding force or a divisive one; their involvement still remains minimal.”
Also in a live-in relationship you might be sharing the same roof and even have a joint bank account but when it comes to legal rights partners don’t have all that much, especially no inheritance rights.
The Disadvantages Of Live-In Relationships
Do you think a live-in relationship is an absolute walk in the park? Isn’t it likely that it involves more than what they show in movies and TV? Of course, it does! While it may seem easy and smooth, a live-in relationship comes with its own set of disadvantages. Read on to find out what these are.
1. Lack of commitment
The biggest advantage of a live-in relationship is also its biggest disadvantage. A live-in relationship can be too flexible. Hence it may not demand a serious commitment from both sides.
Walking out of a relationship can be as easy as packing your bags and booking an Uber. This is why even the slightest disagreement may lead to one of the partners looking towards the exit.
2. Takes the charm out of marriage
Does living together ruin relationships? Yes sometimes it does ruin the prospects of marriage.
Marriage has little to offer to couples who have already been living together for a few years. They are already too used to each other and physical intimacy with one another is also not something new.
There are very few things they can look forward to which married couples generally do. This lack of novelty is one of the major disadvantages of a live-in relationships. It can make a relationship stagnant.
Also live-in partners get to know each others flaws so they might not want to get married after living-in. Dealing with a heartbreak of a live-in relationship is tougher.
Related Reading: Is Mahie Gill Right in having a Live-In Relationship? Our Expert Answers
3. Social censure
There are many countries and societies where a live-in relationship is still a taboo. This is a major drawback of a live-in relationship. People around you might tend to scorn upon you. Many couples choose to declare themselves as married if they are living in. They do this just to escape the social censure.
If a couple is living together before marriage sometime they find it hard to get a rented accommodation since landlords prefer married couples. For instance live-in relationships are legal in India and with globalisation and progress people have the right to choose how they want to stay together.
But one of the disadvantages of live-in relationships is people still are not socially comfortable with it.
Related Reading: Her Live-In Partner Sexually Abused Her Daughter And Then…
Women suffer in live-in relationships
4. Women suffer more
A failed live-in relationship can have devastating effects on a woman living in a patriarchal society. She suffers both biologically and socially. She often finds it difficult to get back on her feet and move on with her life. Society and even her own family might refuse to accept her.
Also she has no rights to her partner’s income or assets so women often find themselves in a financial mess if a live-in relationship does not work out.
Related Reading: New-age Relationships In India
If you still find yourself wondering, “Is living together bad for a relationship?” or “Does moving together kill a relationship?”, this should guide you.
5. Lack of social support
It can help you get to know your partner better and will let you check your compatibility. It is also a big step forward in any relationship. But why unmarried couples shouldn’t live together?
Because you have to remember when you are living in you are pretty much on your own because most often your relatives and your family are not aware of your live-in status and even if they are aware they are not involved in your life.
Marriage legally binds you to your respective families but when you are living in in case of emergencies or financial need you have to turn to friends. Family is not there with you.
6. You get to know the terrible side of your partner
Living with a person teaches you a lot about them. Dating a person and sharing the same space with them are very different things. The latter comes with its own unique set of challenges.
A live-in relationship with them can help you make your final decision. But one of the biggest disadvantages of live-in relationships is you get to know about a the flaws about your partner.
The doubts start creeping in and most often couples decide to break-up and ditch the idea of tying the knot.
The other side of your partner
7. You can become clingy
You love your partner and crave something more than conventional dating. You want to see them every day and don’t mind sharing a space with them. You don’t want to spend a moment without your s/o but at the same time, you’re not ready for marriage.
It’s even possible that you don’t believe in labels but don’t want that to hold you back.
Related reading: Are live in relationships worth the effort?
There are countless scenarios in which live-in relationships can work wonders! Many couples swear by it, and why won’t they? Living with the love of your life does come with challenges, yes. But, it is also the greatest feeling ever.
But the disadvantages of live-in relationships are it comes with its set of insecurities.
Since you are not married you could constantly have the doubt if the relationship will go to the next level. You tend to become clingy and often in live-in relationships people end up spying on their partners.
However, it should be noted that moving in too early with a partner can be the undoing of a relationship. Ensure that you take a well thought out decision. Pursuing a live-in relationship is a major decision for a couple. You may not be marrying the person, but you are still going to share a life with them. Hence this decision should be taken with the utmost care. Getting carried away with emotions and rushing into things can be bad for you in the long run.
