• Solomon Islands!

    Solomon Islands: Looking up at palm trees. Go Now!

    Solomon Islands
    This Melanesian country is best known for its many islands and beaches... and this natural landscape (pictured) is why most people go. Don't miss out on the unique Melanesian culture and foods though! Begin Your Journey!

  • Tonga!

    Tonga: Coastline. Go Now!

    Tonga
    The heart of Polynesian culture is rooted in Tonga, but most visitors just come for the natural beauty. Explore Tonga!

  • Vanuatu!

    Vanuatu: Jetty into the ocean. Go Now!

    Vanuatu
    Picturesque serenity is a good way to describe Vanuatu, but the culture offers much more, including the inspiration for bungee jumping, which remains a rite of passage for young men. Explore Vanuatu!

  • Palau!

    Palau: "70 Islands!" Go Now!

    Palau
    Few people have even heard of this small Micronesian country, but those who have often return with stories of beauty unmatched elsewhere, such as view of the "70 Islands" (pictured). Go Now!

  • Explore the: Federated States of Micronesia!

    Federated States of Micronesia: Overlooking some islands. Go Now!

    Federated States of Micronesia
    This diverse country stretches for thousands of miles and has the diversity to prove it, including the people from Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Yap among others. Begin Your Journey!

  • Samoa!

    Samoa: A traditional home. Go Now!

    Samoa
    Among the most famous of the South Pacific's many countries, Samoa sits in the heart of Polynesia and has a culture to match. Begin Your Journey!

Relationships, Marriage, & Family Life in the Marshall Islands

Dating in the Marshall Islands is a secretive and underground event for most couples. Public displays of affection are discouraged and openly dating is considered inappropriate so many couples meet late at night in secret. Over time these couples may decide to be in a committed relationship, at which point they begin living together and often times will start a family, but don't yet marry.

Although couples living together are committed and many are considered to be married in the eyes of the government (as a common-law marriage) many couples still have a formal church wedding at some point, although this often takes place well after they begin living together and often times after they have started a family. Despite the fact that couples may already be married and have children, a church wedding is still a large and important event for the couple and their families.

Family is very important to the people of the Marshall Islands and this relationship stretches to include extended family and even whole villages. Children are extremely important to the people and children always become a member of the community upon birth as their grandparents and other relatives or community members often take an active role in raising these children. There also tends to be a large number of children as most couples have three to four children.

The family dynamic in the Marshall Islands is also based on this sense of family and community as nearly everyone has a role. Many young people work to support their children as well as their older parents and other members of the community. Women also tend to have a great deal of power in the country as land is passed down through the matrilineal line so when a couple marries the man moves to the woman's village. However, men still seem to represent the village and family as they take on the greater economic and political role in most communities.

This page was last updated: November, 2013