Marriage

Marriage occurs between consenting adults but is frequently delayed until middle age. Other living or domestic arrangements frequently precede a legal marriage, particularly among the lower classes. These may include "friending," a visiting relationship that frequently results in childbirth and may involve the woman performing domestic services in exchange for a financial contribution on the part of the man. A cohabitational relationship without the benefit of legal marriage is another option. Given the legal legitimacy of marriage, this may eventually be a lasting union; the partners' expectations and the enactment of the relationship parallel those of a legal union. For the middle class, the respectability conferred by a legal union is an important consideration, cohabitational union is usually not an option.

Outside-of-marriage relationships are common among men, who may have "friending" alliances despite being in a cohabiting union. When children are born from such unions, the man is expected to contribute financially to the child's care, but among the poor, these contributions are likely to be meager. Women's opportunities to engage in similar activities outside of a cohabiting union are limited.