Jaya Bachchan’s outspoken and fierce personality is not for the faint of heart. Her recent comments on marriage have stirred the pot, and the internet is once again divided. During an interaction with journalist Barkha Dutt on Mojo Story, Bachchan was asked whether she finds the institution of marriage outdated. Her reply? “Yes, absolutely. I don’t want Navya (her granddaughter) to get married.”“I am a grandmother now. Navya turns 28 in a few days. I am too old to advise young girls today on how to bring up children. Things have changed so much. Today, these little children are so smart, and they will smart you,” she further added.Agreeing that the legality of marriage doesn’t define a relationship, she said, “Delhi ka ladoo hai khao toh mushkil na khao toh mushkil. Just enjoy life. You don’t have to make it (signal with a pen and paper)… we didn’t even sign the register in old times; later on, we found out we had to sign the register, and we signed it after I don’t know how many years of our marriage. That means we were living illegally.”Kruti Shah, cell psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Trust, said that Jaya Bachchan’s recent statement calling marriage “outdated” has resonated widely, not for the controversy but because it reflects a shifting reality. “In therapy, I often see young adults questioning how marriage fits into a world changing faster than tradition. Their honest reflections show that they aren’t dismissing marriage, they’re reshaping it,” she told indianexpress.com. Navya is Jaya’s daughter, Shweta Bachchan’s kid. (Source: Instagram/@navyanavelinanda)According to Shah’s observations, young people don’t want to discard marriage; they want it to evolve. Across conversations with her young clients, she found three dominant themes emerge:1. The need to redefine roles with flexibility.Marriage in the 21st century cannot be built on inherited gender duties. Tasks must be divided based on skill, interest, and practical context. One client said, “My mom was a homemaker, but I cannot expect someone 30 years younger to live the same life.” Another echoed, “The Role of a wife is no longer limited to staying at home. She brings her own ambitions, and they need attention.”2. Communication as the spine of modern relationships.Misunderstandings often arise not from differing values but from unspoken ones. Whether two people want a traditional setup or a fully egalitarian one, they must discuss expectations early. Marriage becomes outdated only when communication is absent.Story continues below this ad3. The family’s evolving role.Several youngsters mentioned that the larger family system, especially in joint setups, can either support or strain a marriage. Generational gaps, rigid ideologies, and resistance to change often become invisible third parties in the relationship. Young couples want families who adapt, not dictate.ALSO READ | Modern marriage, traditional chokepoint: A 28-year-old woman’s perspective ahead of tying the knotFrom a psychological viewpoint, Shah decoded that marriage today is less of a fixed institution and more of a living agreement, malleable, personalised, and co-crafted. It no longer thrives on silent endurance but on active partnership.“Marriage isn’t outdated. What feels outdated are the expectations that ignore individuality. When couples approach marriage with clarity, flexibility, and mutual respect, it becomes not a relic of tradition but a conscious, evolving partnership shaped by the people within it,” she concluded.DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.