Relationships, Marriage, & Family Life in Ecuador
Most young people live with their parents until they marry in Ecuador, at which time they often move out into their own house. This process can vary greatly from person to person depending on when each gets married, but most Ecuadorians get married in their early- to mid-20s. Dating usually begins at about the age of 15 for girls, at which time they are considered adults. In more conservative families dating is chaperoned by an adult and parents may encourage their children to only date people in their same socio-economic class. For others, dating is more relaxed in regards to who children can date as chaperones are uncommon.
Weddings often take place in a Catholic Church as the parents of the bride and groom tend to stand up front with the couple as opposed to bride's maids and groomsmen. However a couple can also marry in just a civil ceremony, which seems to be more common today than it was in the past (although many of these marriages will be blessed by the church). There is a taboo about getting a divorce from a church wedding, but from a civil marriage divorce is fairly easy and more socially acceptable.