Globalization and live-in relations: From immortality to acceptability

Prior to the 1990’s, there existed a very conventional and conformist ideology with regard to the standards and morals in the Indian society. However, after 1990, globalization not only affected the Indian economy, its trade but it also influenced the thought process and psychology of individual in relation to the contemporary beliefs. Due to influx of a great number of technologies, especially that of the television, people began to think on more liberal terms. They became more acceptable to the idea of working women, work from home concepts and the concept of women empowerment. However, the major shift that can be seen in the mindset of people is the gradual acceptance of the concept of live in relationships, who earlier were staunch believers of marriage. The Indian judiciary also underwent the same change as it started to recognize live in relationships. The best example is the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, which recognizes relations in nature of marriage. The swing can be attributed to the western culture that came with globalization. This paper brings out the circumstances how a society favouring marriage gave way to a new concept called live in relationship and the role played by globalization aided by the Indian Judiciary.