The happy couple, Nina and Ali enjoys living together in a small but convenient one-bedroom apartment for many years. Like normal couples, they go halves with the rent and both contribute towards the food shopping and bills. However, they are living in Iran; a place where Islamic teachings are integrated into all different part of life. Given this, their situation is fragile because it's an illegal arrangement as they are not married. Nina and Ali aren't alone, though. They are just one in many young couples in Iran who are living together before committing to any marriage. According to the Iranian government, such behavior undermines religious value that the country actively wants people to follow. The supreme leader's leading staff member stated that such living arrangements were shameful, in a statement released last year. He went on to insist that the Islamic ruler should not accept such untold behavior and that officials should not turn a blind eye to such important matters. A women's magazine was abruptly shut down in April last year after they wrote an exclusive report centered on cohabitation. The media and citizens have coined couples that live together without being legally married as 'white marriage'. Despite many couples cohabiting, it 's hard to give an exact number. Couples that are cohabiting in Iran, date, have sex or even hold hands outside of marriage all face the brunt of the law. Despite the illegality of such behaviors, officials declare that the number of 'white marriages' is rapidly increasing. More than 55% of Iran's population are younger than 30. Therefore, cohabitation is unavoidable, explains Nina Ansary. She is women's right expert official in Iran. Despite the official ruling of Islamic Republic, many citizens are more open minded and less strict towards following the government's decisions. Ansary says that Iranian women are fearless. Women are participating in many activities that are illegal such as drinking, dancing, even sex. She claims that such behaviors are common 'underground' and kept away from the spotlight. Most surprising is that a generation is being raised in such a society, yet they refuse to reflect the traditional laws imposed. Likely a reason for many couples cohabiting is due to financial and economic reasons. Cohabiting provides a solution for those that want to enjoy being in a relationship together and live with each other without being crushed by the weight of marriage. This is crucial for youths that are residing in a country where they are handicapped at every opportunity. Some couples take precautions to prevent others from knowing that they are unmarried and cohabiting. Couples go to the trouble of committing each other's family trees to memory or wearing fake wedding rings to appear as genuine married couples. Similarly to other unmarried couples, Nina and Ali wishes to keep their second names anonymous. Nina is enjoying her second 'white' marriage. She describes cohabiting as more satisfying and stress-free than a full on rushed or perhaps unwanted marriage. Ali's family is aware of his living arrangements and thankfully chooses not to interfere. Nina aged 28 finished by explaining that while you're earning your wage and paying for your life, questions of marriage should be off the cards. While the government disagrees, many of the young generation hope that one day their relationship choices will be accepted.