r. Urdanization | Majuro is the seat of Government for the Marshall Islands an has become the most densely populated island in the Marshalls. as a result, Lbcal officials place the population of Majuro at approximately 12,500, over 5G% adolescents, living in the two towns, Rita and Laura. opposite ends of the island of Majuro. and businesses, many houses of whom are These towns bre located at Rita contains the larger number of people and other living units, departmen— and grocery stores, several smal] eating places, governmental buildings and offfices, the post office, police station, a bank, a library, several churches, andIschools (high schoo] and elementary levels in addition to a theological colldge). factory is situated a few miles outside of Rita and an airport several miles further on, on the road to laura. communities occupy the A copra fas been built Many small villages and/or land between Rita and Laura (which is]a very small residential settlement, primarily) and create a microcosm on Majurq of the entire Marshall Islands peoples. Kwajalein, as a Missle Range Base, attracted many Marshallese people because of the job opportunities that were made available to them. the Kwajalein Atoll, was developed by the U.S. Ebeyel an island in military tb accommodate approximately 2000 Marshallese workers and their immediate familieg. However, as word spread throughout the islands relative to the work opport nities on the Base, thousands of indigenous island people crowded onto Ebeye. Presently, an average of 8000 Marshallese are living on Ebeye in over-crowded 11 ing conditions that place a strain on food and water resources, health, sanitation and educational facilities and services. J. Social Problems Stemming from Urbanization and Social Change Current social problems in the Marshall Islands take in the antire range of problems found in most emerging nations undergoing significant change. Some of the most urgent and distressing social concerns expressed by tBe Marshallese include increasing alcoholism, suicide, dislocation and distribution of people, car accidents, crimes (especially forgery, burglary, and assult number of misdemeanors), prostitution and venereal disease, fnd battery; a @gse intrafamily violence (including child neglect and abuse), divorce, relationships and communication across generational of drugs, breakdown of boundarieq, neglect of parenting and parenting skills, lack of family planning and enhancdment of family life, juvenile delinquency, homosexual relationships, lack pf opportunities for specific age groups (especially adolescents ani and other mental health problems such ll as apathy, alienation, employment the Elders); depression,