Bangalore: Court Marriages - Trend Turning into Norm?
Dajiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jun 12: With rapid changes in society and changing value systems especially among the young, the institution of marriage too seems to be undergoing a transition. The latest trend is opting for registered marriages in court, rather than the solemn, ritual-rich, crowded ceremonies.
Court marriages go well with the nature of the present generation - the practice is quick, easy on the pockets, and devoid of traditions. All it takes is a trivial Rs 13 as fee! Given that most educated youngsters are financially independent and like to spend on their marriages themselves, registered marriage indeed looks like a fine option.
But that's not the main reason for the increasing number of such marriages. Youngsters look at it as an easy way out when their parents oppose their choice of a life partner. Some feel that getting their relationships legalised is better than to tinker with uncertainties. It does away with the constraints of caste, family background etc which are otherwise impediments to couples wanting to marry. Love marriages are mostly solemnised through court, and in some cases, couples are known to even keep their marriage a secret from their families at least for some time.
Take the case of a couple from Bangalore. The girl and the boy were still studying when they decided to get married. They did not get their parents' consent as they were still undergraduates, so the couple opted to go for a registered marriage. They kept it a secret until they were done with college, but luckily for them, the parents finally accepted them after initial outburst.
Another couple got married in a similar way after eight years of 'court'ship, and here the problem was a tad bit deeper as they belonged to different castes. The boy's parents somehow agreed, but the not the girl's. Still, they decided to go ahead with the hope of being accepted by the girl's parents some day.
According to statistics, about 10-15 percent of youngsters go for registered marriage every month, with at least one case a day.
Moreover, the increasing generation gap has also led to this phenomenon. Youngsters like to believe themselves as responsible and make their own decisions, while for their parents they are still kids whose lives are in their hands. Conflicts often arise between parents and children regarding marriage. Youngsters also feel reluctant to discuss their love life with their parents, considering it a taboo especially in conservative households, and discouraged by a feeling that they would not be understood or accepted.
Money power also has given youngsters the confidence to settle down early in life without having to depend on parents financially. Gone are the days when threats to 'disown' the son or daughter financially would work wonders. Now, with high-paying jobs, youngsters are able to look after themselves, and in most cases, both the girl and the boy would be earning.
Nevertheless, court marriages have also made the institution of marriage lose its sanctity to some extent. The couple are not bound by rituals or guided by elders in the family. It carries with it the belief that such a marriage could be annulled anytime, leading to increase in divorce cases. As easily as the marriage is made legal, so also is it terminated. The level of understanding and the ability to adjust to each other's needs and comforts are important here, and as in many cases parents' support is absent, the couples are left in a quandary when misunderstandings arise.
If the trend continues at this rate, will we soon see a day when court marriages become the norm rather than the traditional ritualised ceremonies?