Look at the difference between marriage and live-in relationship to decide which is better for you, as this article helps you with this.
Being in love and wanting to stay together but unable to decide whether you should go for a live-in relationship or marriage. Well, nobody will tell you which is right for you or which is not, as it’s all up to you and your decision. Simply look at the difference between marriage and live-in relationship, so that you can decide on that basis.
The difference between marriage and live-in relationship
As the number of divorces goes up every day, most modern couples would rather prefer a live-in relationship over marriage. But it doesn’t mean you don’t have fights, conflicts, and disagreements in a live-in relationship. Remember, whether it’s a marriage or a live-in relationship, what matters most is how well you handle things and situations, how much you feel loved and understood by your partner, and how much effort you both put into the relationship. So just consider the difference between marriage and live-in relationship before making your decision.
8 points that elaborate on the difference between them
Here are some points that elaborate on the difference between marriage and live-in relationship:
ABOUT:
The main difference between marriage and live-in relationship can be understood by looking at their definitions.
Marriage, also called “wedding”, is the formal commitment between two persons (i.e., a couple), which is legally accepted by the law. This relationship is not just limited to the couple; it’s more than that, i.e., families are involved. This relationship is well accepted by society.
A live-in relationship, also called cohabitation, is the arrangement of living together decided by the couple but without any legal commitment (i.e. marriage). This relationship is more about the couple because there is no involvement of families. Furthermore, society does not accept this relationship very well.
FAMILIES:
In general, marriage also has more involvement in families, and you may get more support from your family if you have any trouble or issue. Moreover, you’ll learn a lot from your families. In case your family doesn’t support your relationship, it’s still a serious commitment.
In general, live-in relationships have less family involvement and are more of a couple thing. Some families don’t support this relationship, so in this case, you won’t get any support from your family. Even if you are quite serious about your relationship, they may still have doubts about your commitment to it.
SEPARATION ISSUES:
As marriage is legally accepted, the separation part is also legal. There are lots of legal formalities and even harassment to get separation from your partner after marriage. And after separation, you’ll get the label “divorce”. So we can say that the separation process is difficult and time-consuming after marriage.
As there are no legal formalities in a live-in relationship, the separation is also free of them. As you realize that you are not satisfied with your relationship, you can easily move on and part ways. So we can say that you can easily separate from your partner whenever you want to and don’t have to face any legal harassment or tagging.
This is the main difference between marriage and live-in relationship, which you should consider before making your decision.
FORMAL REQUIREMENTS:
It’s important to consider the formal requirements while talking about the difference between marriage and live-in relationship.
You need to meet some formal requirements to get married to your partner, depending on the place you are getting married (because they may differ from state to state). This may include the criteria of minimum age, official ceremony, and witness. And after marriage, you also have some legal rights that no one can take away from you.
As there is no legal involvement in a live-in relationship, there are no formal requirements to live under one roof. You can be in a live-in relationship whenever you want to and even move apart whenever you want to. So, the live-in relationship is free from any formal requirements to stay together, and hence you don’t have any legal rights.
FINANCES:
As marriage is about full commitment, the couple prefers to handle their finances and all other duties and responsibilities together. They plan things and share everything. They even make plans for future finances, i.e., a joint account, a joint investment plan, and even health insurance plans.
But, as a live-in relationship lacks full commitment, they prefer to handle their finances on their own (i.e., separately). As this is just the checking phase of the relationship, they don’t go deep into future financial planning. They do prefer to manage their money, responsibilities, and other things separately.
Consider this key difference between marriage and live-in relationship before making your decision.
FREEDOM:
Marriage is all about sharing responsibilities and duties, so you are less likely to have full freedom over your decisions or actions. You have the responsibility to take care of the family, i.e., your partner and children. And even your partner has the full right to question you.
A live-in relationship is more about spending time together while still having their own space and freedom. It’s more about freedom and less about responsibilities. The couple has full freedom over their own decisions, actions, and choices.
CHILDREN:
As marriage is a legal commitment and even well accepted by society, they are happy to have kids. Moreover, children get a safe and secure environment to grow in because of the stability and full commitment of the relationship.
As a live-in relationship lacks commitment and even sometimes gets criticism from society, having kids can mess up the situation. And kids from such relationships may face lots of issues in life. As this relationship is not fully committed, how can you guys provide a better environment for the upbringing of your kids?
To make the right decision, consider at least the major difference between marriage and live-in relationship.
HEALTH:
In marriage, stability, full commitment, and involvement in everything together (i.e., from finances to household chores) make you feel secure, less stressed, and good about your relationship. And that has a good impact on your health and even reduces the risk of many diseases.
Whereas, in a live-in relationship, you still have commitment issues, face social pressure, and even manage responsibilities alone, which can make you feel insecure, stressed, and overthinking. And that proves bad for your health in the long run. Even some studies have proven the impact of marriage and live-in relationships on health.
All these points elaborate on the major difference between marriage and live-in relationship. I hope this helps you understand both relationships in a better way. Now, you decide which one to go for. Because once you understand the difference between marriage and live-in relationship, it becomes easier for you to make the right decision.
In general, a live-in relationship is to check the compatibility between you and your partner, whereas marriage is more about the stability and security of your relationship. Initially, a live-in relationship is good to understand your partner and relationship at a deeper level. But in the long run, marriage is for the betterment of your relationship and kids. In short, it’s your life and your decision; just consider the difference between marriage and live-in relationship to make the right decision.
