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.