According to Tolkien in Morgoth's Ring's "Laws and customs of the Eldar" Elves were much like pre-fallen man. As a philologist Tolkien was trying to reconstruct a lost mythology for the Elves. Here's what he says about their families. Read the essay in Morgoth's ring for more depth. Elves in ancient times married once, early in life, for love and by free choice. They had few children, who were very dear to them. The union of love is a great delight and the days of the children remain in their memory as the merriest in life. Children needed little governing.