What is better a live-in relationship or marriage? Why?

Wow.. that you should ask that question. I am in a live-in relationship right now... like one of the other answers, it is an "easy" out. No legal anything. Take what you can get away with when you leave.

My boyfriend just popped the big question! Reason behind it? Now, neither one of us can get out so easily. It is oviously a sign of commitment. Now if for what ever reason we can't stay together, it has to be done legally as well. Perhaps protection of our assets that we accumulate together. Perhaps a "test" of the relationship. Perhaps a progression to the next level of our relationship. Maybe it is simply all of the above.

He knows I was happy just living together. Now it is going to be more.. an investment of sorts. It's all about the value you place on staying with your partner, I think.

I said yes!

You r not 'bingTall'. U r afraid of commitment.

A live in relationship has no base for solidity.

In fact it has NO BASE of any kind.

Except that it leaves the door open for U 2 run away whenever U r bored.

Stop trying to escape, or tell the poor lady the truth, that U r having the time of your life, and the future is of no importance to U.

U r a cheat. U r playing an emotional game which is very damaging, not only to the lady concerned, but also to the society as a whole.

People like U should be left out to dry.

Let me tell U, I am not against Live-in Relationships. In some instances they serve a very important purpose, but with U it is very plain that U r an escapist, and an extemely selfish person. Your reasoning is bull ! And hence, U specially should not be allowed to misuse the care & comforts attached to such an arrangement.

No Luck to U !

If U r really seeking advice, Take the route she is suggesting.

She has a sensible head on her shoulders. Maybe, for U that is the best thing that will happen to U in your entire life.

Since I do not believe in the legal and political aspects of marriage, I live in a committed relationship that has a much stronger bond than any piece of government paper could produce.

Understand that we live in an alternative way so when we committed to each other there was a ceremony with witnesses that included a handfasting (for my religion) and a Ceremony of Roses (where he secured a collar and made His commitment to me public). For us these actions in front of our friends and family are much more binding than any legal type marriage.

We also have a very strict contract where everything is laid out from finances to sexual needs. This took over a year to bring to completion.

How do you view your partner, honestly? Are you serious about her, and thinking in the long term? Then marriage is the answer for you. If you are just "testing the waters", and feel she is dispensible, just like any other girlfriend, then a live-in situation is better, because then, you can always walk out when dissatisfied, and with no "baggage". It all depends on how you view her, and your relationship.

I believe to live-in is a good way to simulate a marriage but I do not think that it may prolong the relationship more effectively than marriage. If you do not feel any respect to your partner it will not be long whether you live-in or marry.

So I vote for neither of them as a remedy.

It will be a good idea to know each other. it gives time to know the other person interests, habits, etc...closely if one is not upto the expectations of other they can adjust or quit the relationship rather doing a mistake of marriage b4 knowing. sex definitely plays a vital role in early days of such relationships, but u cant do sex alone the whole day. this is not a man advantage idea, it helps women too, who knows she may get a very good one after such a relationship. but b4 going for such relationship , it better 2 check the minimum thing u want to know of the other person. bye and Happy Live-in :)

While I don't think that one needs to be married to be committed or to make life long promises to his or her partner I think that in many countries that the legal benefits of marriage are not attainable without the ceremony. Marry because of social/government pressures.

Although people claim that marriage is something that a commitment phobe would never do, I disagree since divorce is so easy to get and one of the major functions of marriage in present society is divorce or legal protection when splitting up!! If anything get married to protect yourself in a break up hahaha.

Each situation is different. I think living together before marriage always helps because then your not in for a big surprise when/if you marry. But I am definately against it if there are children involved. Do the right thing for their sakes and make it a legal living situation. Its healthier for them to grow up in that type of environment. Also, if you live together make sure its not forever, unless you "both" agree to that.

Marriage shows, or at least it used to show, that you are committed to that one person for the rest of your life. At some point in the relationship, women deserve that commitment.

What reason do you have for not wanting to get married? If it is just the fear of losing half your stuff in a divorce, why not talk about a pre-nuptual agreement?

This is a personal preference question, I do suggest that you both get a prenuptial agreement prior to marriage... and remember after so many years (differs in each state) the law considers each of you responsible as wife and husband in legal matters concerning the relationship...