Polyamory as a Form of Relationship
Every time you hear more people talking about polyamory, but do you know what it is and why more and more people practice it? In this post we will discover it as well as other types of relationships increasingly recognized in our society.
Polyamory is a type of relationship in which you can establish romantic or loving relationships with more than one person at a time, with the consent of all the people in that relationship. This means that all partners are informed about the situation.
Some types of non-monogamous relationships that many couples practice and can find are:
1. Swinger couples who invite sexual encounters and experiences with other couples jointly
2. Couples in an open relationship enjoy occasional sexual contact with third parties.
3. Polyamorous relationships in which there is a main couple relationship with an additional person as a secondary relationship.
4. Non-hierarchical polyamory, in which it is understood that there are no differentiations between primary or secondary relationships.
5. Polyphile relationships of three or more people who have exclusivity among them.
As we have just seen, there are several very diverse and unique options.
In open relationships there are usually a series of agreements and limits that are negotiated between the people who make up the relationship. In fact, agreements do not have to be the same among all people, but different agreements can be established depending on the wishes of each one.
Polyamory and non-monogamous relationships in general, are an option of relationship more among the multitude of types of relationships that may exist. It’s about knowing ourselves, deciding what kind of relationship we want and getting to build them in a healthy way.
In the USA, 5% of the population admitted having had non-monogamous relationships. This includes the exchange of partners (swingers), open relationships, etc. In other eras of history, having other people in the relationship has been culturally accepted.
Polyamory allows us to continue alongside people we love even if we Desire others.
One of the frequent questions we ask is:
Is polyamory the same as polygamy?
No. Polygamy is when a man is sexually active with several women. Legally, a man who is married to more than one woman is considered polygamous. Polyandry would be the other way around, when it is she who is married to more than one man. There are cultures where one of the two practices is quite common.
Finally, the criticism of all these types of relationships and this new way of relating without leaving the old myths of romantic love, jealousy and inequality produce difficulties when integrating families of origin with the upbringing of offspring of the new multiple families. Sexuality accepts multiple possibilities and can be healthy and responsible while the agreements are consensual, free, conscious and informed.
