**1. Introduction**

Adolescence is a crucial period for every individual with ample rapid physical, psychological and social changes [1–3]. In this critical transitional phase, boys and girls progress from same-sex to other-sex relationships, including involvement with romantic partners. Growing social expectations for dating behaviors, biological motivations, socio-emotional intelligence, and cognitive maturity during adolescence promotes young people to engage in romantic relationships [4, 5]. Most adolescents in their conversations discussed romantic relationships with no discomfort and reported to have significant preoccupation and rumination which further cause for strong emotions [6]. Many adolescents, particularly girls, whether single or in a relationship tend to spend more time discussing romantic relationships and pondering over past or future relationships [7]. Hence, romantic involvement during adolescence has received much attention.

India has one of the fastest growing youth populations in the world. The vast majority of adolescents, (children in the 10–19 age group) account for 22.8% of

the population of India and girls below 19 years of age constitute one-fourth of India's fast growing population [8]. There are 1.5 million girls in India under the age of 15 already married. Of these, 20% or approximately 300,000 are mothers to at least one child. They are more prone to trafficking, HIV infection, and Substance abuse. Only 1% adolescents receive quality counseling, health and medical services [9]. Many of these issues addressed through various government programmes, policies and school health programme, and adolescent education programmes [10].

Increased interest in romantic relationships is central in adolescents' lives and has long been considered defining features of adolescence [1]. Romantic relationships have significant influence on emotional wellbeing of adolescents. In western context, romantic relationship has gained developmental significance and majority of adolescents involved in romantic relationship. In Indian context, scientific literature on Adolescent girls in romantic relationship is very minimal and studies focused upon sexuality related issues and pre-marital sexual relationship [11–13]. Due to social and cultural aspects, few adolescent girls who are involved in romantic relationship run away from home. These girls would come under care and protection under many circumstances such as child marriage, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, etc. it is important to understand their issues to provide psycho social intervention and facilitate healthy transition to adulthood [11–13].

Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood, where adolescents try to establish a personal sense of individual identity and feelings of self-worth. During Adolescence there are certain important developmental tasks, such as, development of an identity; the transformation of family relationships; the development of close relationship with peers; the development of sexuality; scholastic achievement and career planning. Romantic experiences are believed to influence the course of a number of above mentioned developmental tasks [6]. Increased interest in romantic relationships is central in adolescents' lives and has long been considered defining features of adolescence [14]. Romantic relationship during adolescence follows a developmental course. Initial interactions typically occur in mixed boy-girl groups; then group dating begins, with several pairs engaging in some activity together [15]. Romantic relationships been defined as 'mutually acknowledged on-going voluntary interactions; in comparison to most other peer relationships, romantic ones typically have a distinctive intensity, which is usually marked by expressions of affection and current or anticipated sexual behavior, of course, some behaviors are simultaneously affectionate and sexual in nature [10].

Romantic relationship initially conceptualized as relatively unimportant compared to adults' relationships, adolescent romantic relationships have been shown in research to be often long term and bear significant resemblance to the features of adult romantic relationships [16, 17]. It is only within the last 2 decades that researchers have considered the potential impact of romantic experiences on adolescents' functioning. Since last 2 decades, academician and researchers have conducted research to understand romantic relationship among adolescents.

## **2. The understanding adolescent romantic relationship in the Indian context**

Cultures vary widely in the norms, attitudes, and customs surrounding marriage. Marriage is a sacred institution in India [18], with long-established norms and

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relationships [23].

**3. Cultural context of marriage in India**

*Adolescents Romantic Relationship: Dynamics of Parent-Child Relationship from India*

customs with strict cultural sanctions against those who do not follow such unwritten norms [19]. In India unlike west, do not have a concept of 'dating'. The concept of dating is not heard by many adolescents, any attraction or liking of opposite sex ends up in marriage. Children are expected to be under the control and supervision of their parents until their marriage. Parents act as protector and also as provider for their children until they are married. When a boy and girl in romantic relationship would elope or runaway for getting married, mainly because of their parents not approving their relationship nor agreeing for their marriage. Caste, religion, socio economic status, character, etc., are important factors for marriage. In West, individuals select their own marital partner, whereas in India, parents and the extended family members select the marital partner and ensure that the partner is a

Janardhana et al., [21] in their reports of proving psycho social interventions for children in difficult circumstances under the care and protection of Child Welfare Committee (annual and six monthly reports) and in their studies Janardhana and Manjula [12, 13, 21] have mentioned about individual, family and other factors associated with romantic relationship. Adolescent girls in romantic relationship were aged between 13 and 18 years. Few were dropped out of school, majority of them are high school/college going. More than half of the adolescents in romantic relationship had poor academic performance and low academic achievement motivation. Few adolescents girls were asked to stop studies because parents knew about their romantic relationship. They had poor knowledge about personal safety, sexuality and reproductive health. Alcohol in parents, disturbed family routine, parental discord, poor parental supervision and monitoring, poor quality of relationship between parents and children, poor communication between parents and children, rejection of girls by their parents are some of the family factors associated with adolescent in romantic relationship. Caste, socio economic status, boy's background

were some of the main reasons for their rejection of romantic relationship. Perceptions and attitudes towards romantic relationships have evolved in the Indian context. In the current scenario, meeting socially for companionship and going beyond companionship has become quite popular among adolescents particularly those residing in urban areas. Dating was considered taboo decades ago, but now, it is quite common. Adolescent dating culture has been noted to be increasing in the country [22]. In India, globalization, urbanization, rapid economic growth and the extensive reach of media has changed the realities of young people in just a generation. Young people are exposed to new ideas and are better informed about their rights and responsibilities. The declining age of puberty and the increasing age of marriage have created a growing window of opportunities in which young people more chances to engage premarital romantic and sexual

India being a collectivist culture allows families to play a dominant role in taking major decisions centering lives of children and adolescents. Choice marriages are still discouraged and parental acceptance is crucial for marriage. Parents often believe that strict supervision of children inhibits their formation of romantic or sexual partnerships [24]. Despite strict supervision, disapproval of interactions with opposite gender, there are opportunities for social mixing and young people have devised ways of developing romantic partnerships with the opposite sex [25]. These emphases on how adolescents in India are fascinated between

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81634*

good match within their caste and family network [20].

#### *Adolescents Romantic Relationship: Dynamics of Parent-Child Relationship from India DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81634*

customs with strict cultural sanctions against those who do not follow such unwritten norms [19]. In India unlike west, do not have a concept of 'dating'. The concept of dating is not heard by many adolescents, any attraction or liking of opposite sex ends up in marriage. Children are expected to be under the control and supervision of their parents until their marriage. Parents act as protector and also as provider for their children until they are married. When a boy and girl in romantic relationship would elope or runaway for getting married, mainly because of their parents not approving their relationship nor agreeing for their marriage. Caste, religion, socio economic status, character, etc., are important factors for marriage. In West, individuals select their own marital partner, whereas in India, parents and the extended family members select the marital partner and ensure that the partner is a good match within their caste and family network [20].

Janardhana et al., [21] in their reports of proving psycho social interventions for children in difficult circumstances under the care and protection of Child Welfare Committee (annual and six monthly reports) and in their studies Janardhana and Manjula [12, 13, 21] have mentioned about individual, family and other factors associated with romantic relationship. Adolescent girls in romantic relationship were aged between 13 and 18 years. Few were dropped out of school, majority of them are high school/college going. More than half of the adolescents in romantic relationship had poor academic performance and low academic achievement motivation. Few adolescents girls were asked to stop studies because parents knew about their romantic relationship. They had poor knowledge about personal safety, sexuality and reproductive health. Alcohol in parents, disturbed family routine, parental discord, poor parental supervision and monitoring, poor quality of relationship between parents and children, poor communication between parents and children, rejection of girls by their parents are some of the family factors associated with adolescent in romantic relationship. Caste, socio economic status, boy's background were some of the main reasons for their rejection of romantic relationship.

Perceptions and attitudes towards romantic relationships have evolved in the Indian context. In the current scenario, meeting socially for companionship and going beyond companionship has become quite popular among adolescents particularly those residing in urban areas. Dating was considered taboo decades ago, but now, it is quite common. Adolescent dating culture has been noted to be increasing in the country [22]. In India, globalization, urbanization, rapid economic growth and the extensive reach of media has changed the realities of young people in just a generation. Young people are exposed to new ideas and are better informed about their rights and responsibilities. The declining age of puberty and the increasing age of marriage have created a growing window of opportunities in which young people more chances to engage premarital romantic and sexual relationships [23].
