Model Answer

GS1

SOCIETY

10 marks

"The rise in post-marital and pre-marital crimes reflects deeper shifts in social values rather than merely individual criminality." Examine this statement in the context of changing family and social relationships in India.

Recent incidents involving intimate partner violence, dowry deaths, honour killings, stalking and crimes in live-in relationships indicate that changing social norms are reshaping family relationships. This raises questions about the social roots of such crimes.

Changing Social Relationships -

  1. Changing aspirations have altered relationship expectations; e.g., rising aspirations for equality often clash with traditional patriarchal roles.
  2. Urbanisation and individualism have weakened traditional social regulation; e.g., migration has reduced community oversight and family support systems.
  3. Acceptance of pre-marital relationships has increased new social challenges; e.g., crimes involving coercion, blackmail and revenge pornography.

Structural Social Factors -

  1. Patriarchal attitudes continue to fuel gender-based violence; e.g., dowry deaths and marital cruelty remain widespread despite legal safeguards.
  2. Honour and caste norms often override individual autonomy; e.g., honour killings against inter-caste or inter-faith couples.
  3. Poor emotional and conflict-resolution skills escalate domestic disputes; e.g., increasing cases of intimate partner violence after marital conflicts.

Emerging Societal Concerns -

  1. Digital platforms have intensified relationship-based crimes; e.g., cyberstalking, morphing and non-consensual sharing of private content.
  2. Weak mental health support aggravates interpersonal conflicts; e.g., unresolved stress contributing to violent behaviour within families.

Way Forward -

  1. Strengthen value-based and gender-sensitive education through schools, colleges and community programmes to promote respectful relationships.
  2. Expand counselling, family mediation and legal support mechanisms; e.g., One Stop Centres, Family Counselling Centres and women's helplines.

Addressing relationship-based crimes requires balancing legal enforcement with social reform, gender justice and value-based education to build healthier interpersonal relationships.

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