Are Modern Trends Undermining India’s Social Foundations?

A civilised society is defined not by its technological advancements but by the stability of its relationships and the balance within its social structure. When relationships shift from permanent bonds to convenience-based, paid arrangements, it signals more than a lifestyle change—it is a serious social concern.

The recent rise of the “rented husband” practice in Latvia highlights this issue. In this system, women hire men by the hour for household work, repairs, or social companionship. While some consider it practical, it reveals a worrying trend of commercialising human relationships.

When husbands, friends, or companions become replaceable contracts, core values like trust, responsibility, and sacrifice begin to weaken. Such arrangements may keep society functioning, but they lack true direction. This phenomenon, seen in Latvia, is not isolated. Globally, services like “rent-a-friend,” festival-based rented relationships, and contract-driven cohabitation show growing loneliness and the slow breakdown of family structures in modern societies.

In India, though not institutionalised, signs of this shift are visible. Increasing reports of marital violence, families breaking due to illicit affairs, and psychological impacts on children reflect a steady erosion of social values. This is not just a law-and-order matter but a deeper social issue.

The declining gender ratio in several Indian states adds to the challenge. Many districts still report figures below 900 females per 1,000 males. This imbalance is not just demographic data; it affects social stability. History shows that disturbed gender balance makes marriages difficult, turns relationships transactional, and heightens social tensions. Latvia’s higher female population and its unconventional relationship models offer a glimpse of how demographic imbalance can reshape society.

Employment inequality also plays a critical role. In some sectors, women are hired at lower wages, seen as “cost-effective,” which hardly reflects true empowerment or equality but signals labour market imbalance. Meanwhile, social pressures and economic stress on men are rising, leading to increased depression and suicide rates. This is not a gender-specific issue but a failure of the broader social framework.

Digital platforms now openly offer “companion services” and “no-attachment relationships,” often under the guise of personal freedom. However, this shifts human bonds into consumable products. When companionship and emotional connection become services to buy, societal trust and stability weaken.

Modern lifestyles have reduced physical activity and increased screen dependence. Easy access to explicit content has created unrealistic expectations in relationships, leading to dissatisfaction, emotional distance, and sometimes violence. These trends harm both physical and mental well-being.

In Indian tradition, marriage and family are not mere social institutions; they are deeply rooted cultural values. Modernity should strengthen these foundations rather than abandon them. If relationships become purely convenience-driven, social stability cannot endure. This would mark a civilisational crisis rather than progress.

The example of Latvia offers a warning. India must balance modernity with tradition. Preserving relationships is not only a personal responsibility but a national social priority. A society that loses its relationships risks losing its identity.