They’re unemployed, but convince you they’re building something of their own. Soon, you’re told that love and commitment mean putting a roof over their head, food on their plate, and funding their wants and needs for a ‘shared future.’ But many have realised too late that they were actually being exploited by partners who lived rent-free, never shared household responsibilities, drove their car like it was their own, and hardly made any emotional and financial investments in the relationship.

What is it
Hobosexuality refers to a relationship dynamic where one pursues or maintains a romance mainly for shelter, financial support & material comfort rather than out of genuine love or emotional connection

Genuine dynamic or deceiving tactic?
It can be both. Sohini Rohra, a relationship and fertility psychologist, explains, “For some, it’s circumstantial – Economic hardships or family challenges may push someone into seeking security through a partner. For others, it can be manipulative, where the intent is to exploit a partner’s resources without genuine reciprocity. When dependency hides behind the guise of love, it often leaves one partner drained and resentful.”

Is it a rising trend in India?
Social media has given language to a quiet reality by making hobosexuality a buzzword. Nidhika Bahl, a relationship coach, says, “This label has enabled abuse-recovery educators and survivors to use it to share stories of exploitation and highlight
warning signs.”

Hobosexuality is now seen becoming a pragmatic, risky reality in India. Rohra says, “With live-in relationships becoming more common in metros, rising costs, unstable jobs, and high lifestyle aspirations make hobosexuality more relevant. For some, relationships become a shortcut to avoid the financial and social challenges of living alone.”

How to identify a hobosexual

• They rush into moving in together unusually fast
• They often engage in love bombing gestures, but their financial contributions remain minimal or consistently avoided
• Emotional intimacy often takes a backseat to material or logistical needs
• You feel more like a caretaker or provider than an equal partner
• They are often evasive about their address or tenancy, live out of bags, and have no fixed residence
• They are often unemployed and disguise long gaps in work as an ‘entrepreneurial hustle’

(As suggested by Sohini Rohra, relationship and fertility psychologist)