SAC-Wk122 — Is Cohabiting called Marriage?

How are you all? First of all, I would like to thank the steem4nigeria community for organizing such a beautiful competition.

I am @mamun123456, from Bangladesh, and I really enjoyed reading about the competition, so I thought I would participate in the competition today.

Marriage or marriage, although a small word, has a huge scope. It is not just a union of two people, but also an unbreakable bond between two families and society. Nowadays, in the name of modernity, our relationship patterns have changed a lot. Especially, many debates are going on in society about 'marriage' and 'living together without marriage' or cohabitation. This week's topic for the Steem for Nigeria community is very timely and realistic. Today, through this competition, I am trying to present my own opinions and arguments on this sensitive issue. I think you will like it.

Does living together without paying bride price and having children make them married?

My answer is not at all clear. According to our society and religious customs, marriage is a formal recognition. If a man lives under the same roof with a woman for a long time and they have children, but if he does not pay the socially accepted rules, such as bride price or dowry, then I can call them "couple" or "partner", but never "husband and wife". Marriage means taking responsibility and promising to fulfill that responsibility with society as a witness. There may be love in living together secretly or informally, but there is no social status or sanctity that a formal marriage has. So,o just having children does not make them married; it is merely a compromise relationship.

My opinion on cohabitation or live-in: Is it a shortcut to marriage?

In my opinion, many people want to use cohabitation or live-in relationships as a "shortcut" to marriage. In today's era, many people are choosing this easy path to avoid the big expenses, family formalities, and legal responsibilities of marriage. Many people think that it is easier to understand each other if they are together for a few days before getting married. But I think it is basically a tendency to avoid responsibility. Just as there is a long-term and lifelong commitment in marriage, there is no such thing in cohabitation. The relationship can be ended whenever you want; there is no legal or social accountability. So I think those who are afraid to take the full responsibility of marriage are the ones who choose this shortcut.

Advantages and disadvantages of cohabitation

Just as every coin has two sides, so too does this relationship have some aspects. However, to put it in a paragraph, its disadvantages outweigh its advantages. Yes, it is true that living together before marriage gives a clear idea of the partner's habits, likes, and dislikes, and saves some money. But the negative aspects of this are very terrible. There is no "security" in this relationship. The partner can leave at any time, and women are the ones who suffer the most. In a society like ours, live-in couples are not viewed very favorably. Moreover, if parents separate without getting married, their children face major legal and emotional complications in the future regarding their paternity or property rights. In other words, long-term risks are taken here for temporary happiness.

Should a partner be physically examined before marriage?

This question is often heard in modern society, but my opinion here is a bit conservative. Testing someone before marriage,e like, a "testdrivei, ve" is like reducing people to the level of a commodity. I think that mental compatibility should be given more importance than physical ability. But yes, I am in favor of medical checkups. It is scientific to know the blood group, genetic problems, ems or any infectious diseases of the prospective husband and wife through medical tests before marriage. But I do not support living in or having physical relations before marriage to check whether they will have children or how skilled they are in sexual life. Trust, respect, and love are the main foundations of a relationship. Getting married after testing beforehand sounds like a business deal, which destroys the sanctity of marriage.

[You can provide a medical report or a picture of a doctor's consultation here]

Finally, human life is not a trial version that needs to be tested and then used. Marriage is a name of sacred trust and courage. Cohabiting or living in may give temporary freedom, but at the end of the day, the honor and security of a formal marriage is much greater. Therefore, it is wise to start a family by following the right rules rather than looking for shortcuts.

I am inviting my friends: @suboohi @josevas217 @solaymann @nainaztengra