Much of the study on how romantic relationships evolve in the West is centered on Western partnerships. In this sense, romantic partnerships may be understood as consensual interactions between people who want to be a substantial part of each other's continuous lives. They typically involve two individuals who share emotional connections and engage in mutual responsibilities. Romantic relationships develop through a series of events called "courtship rituals". These rituals help partners get to know each other well enough that they can decide if the relationship is what they want it to be. For example, they might spend time together regularly so that they do not feel like strangers when they meet up again. Or they might share experiences that only someone they care about would understand. These rituals are intended to give couples knowledge about each other's character traits, values, and intentions so they can make an informed decision about whether or not the relationship will work out. In the modern world, relationships tend to be formed under conditions that are not necessarily conducive to learning about another person. As a result, they often suffer from problems such as infidelity, commitment issues, and loneliness. When couples do learn about each other's characters, however, good relationships tend to flourish. Romantic relationships are also different in the West because they last longer. On average, people expect to stay married for several decades after they marry.