Are you curious about unconventional relationship dynamics? Have you heard of polyamory?
It’s a term that’s gaining popularity and recognition and for good reason. Polyamory is the practice of having multiple romantic or sexual relationships with the consent of all parties involved. Unlike traditional monogamous relationships, it recognizes and embraces the possibility of loving more than one person at a time.
In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating world of polyamory, including what it is, how it differs from other forms of non-monogamy, its features, values, the benefits and challenges of polyamorous relationships, and how to navigate them successfully. Get ready to discover a new dimension of consensual non-monogamy!
Table of Contents
Why are people Polyamorous?
People are polyamorous for many different reasons. For example:
- They value being able to have relationships with the partners they love, even if those partners love more than one person.
- Polyamory allows them to meet their needs and desires regarding sex, companionship, and emotional support.
- Polygamy provides them with the stability of long-lasting relationships as well as the excitement of new ones.
Features of Polyamorous Relationships:
1. Friendships are maintained for longer spans by the people involved in polyamorous relationships as they keep their networks wider. Also, as compared with those involved in monogamous relationships, polys are less prone to completely severing ties, even after breaking up. Polys are better at communicating and jealousy is lower among them.
2. Polyamory is preferred by those who feel excluded in other types of relationships. However, people with high anxiety levels are resistant to this form of relationship. Perhaps as a result of their high anxiety levels, these people place an excessive amount of weight on the potential drawbacks of such partnerships. For instance, they are happy that they have so many partners who adore them, but they are also worried that they may one day be left alone.
3. People who engage in consensual non-monogamous relationships, such as polyamory, have safer sex than those who prefer monogamous relationships.
4. Despite higher levels of satisfaction, polygamists feel stigmatized because the dominant perception is that monogamy or pairing is the most superior and accepted form of partnership. They are under immense pressure to pair. Polyamorists usually do not reveal their identities to everyone and keep their network of relationships hidden.
5. Polyamory is not confined to heterosexual partnerships; it is also prevalent among people of all sexual orientations.
Values of a Polyamorous Relationship:
Every polyamorous relationship is unique and unusual in some manner. However, healthy polyamorous partnerships adhere to a specific set of ideals. Here are a few examples:
Trust:
Trust is one of the most important aspects of any relationship. In order to create trust between partners, it is vital to talk openly and honestly about everything. That includes safe sex practices and the promises made to each other. Polyamory can be just as intimate as monogamy, so it is no surprise that communication is key.
Communication:
Contrary to what many people think, sex is not the only aspect of polyamory. Open communication is essential since polyamorous couples and their partners converse a lot. Since sustaining numerous relationships is challenging, regular communication is crucial to upholding the various ties.
Consent:
The key component of consensual non-monogamy is consent. The mere fact that your relationship is polyamorous does not grant you complete freedom. To initiate new sex acts or commitments, you must acquire the approval of everyone you are associated with.
Mutual Respect:
Consent is a critical component in consensual non-monogamy. The fact that you are in a polyamorous relationship does not give you unlimited freedom. To begin new sex acts or obligations, you must first obtain the consent of everyone with whom you are associated.
Knowing how a polyamorous relationship works:
It is crucial to note that, while polyamorous relationships are widely accepted, there are some ground rules that must be maintained. Couples are free to change the rules as they see suitable.
However, in order for a Polyamorous relationship to continue, certain principles must be followed.
Give clear definitions of what you want:
Many people engage in a relationship without clearly articulating their desire. Before engaging in polyamory, you should be clear about what you want out of the relationship.
Define clear boundaries:
Without boundaries in a relationship, it is bound to fall. With multiple partners in an association, you or your companion may get jealous. So, you and your associate must set your wants and dislikes clearly. This will make all parties concerned to know the limits they ought not to cross.
Communicate clearly:
For a polyamorous relationship to work well, communication must be excellent. If you are unhappy about something in your relationship, then you should talk about it. Do not communicate from a place of envy or spite.
Seek your partner’s consent:
Before engaging in a polyamorous lifestyle, you must seek your partner’s consent. If you do not inform them of your intentions, you may be committing adultery. You also risk losing the relationship in the future.
Therefore, let your partner know about your plans before entering into a polyamorous lifestyle.
Don’t neglect your primary partner:
When you start a polyamorous relationship, don’t forget about your partner. Even if you are involved with other people, you must offer your primary partner your full attention. Always make sure they know they are loved and cared for.
Avoid your partner’s partner:
In a polyamory relationship, you should try to keep yourself out of your partners’ personal lives. Don’t get involved unless you’re invited.
However, if you do find out about something happening between your partner and someone else, let it go. Don’t make a big deal out of it. Your partner may think that you’re being too nosy, and he/she might feel uncomfortable around you.
Don’t force yourself to do what your partner is doing:
One of the mistakes people in a polyamorous relationship make is replicating what each other is doing. Most people do this because they want their partners to feel jealous and envious. If one of your partners has another lover, you don’t have to replicate what he/she does.
Be careful not to make your relationship into a competition. You should avoid forcing yourself upon someone who doesn’t feel comfortable doing so. If an opportunity arises for you to do something, you may take it, but you shouldn’t push yourself onto others.
Use protection:
In a polyamorous relationship, you may have sexual encounters with people other than your partner. While you’re at it, make sure you’re protected against things like STDs and unwanted pregnancy. It is critical not to expose your primary partner to the risk of obtaining STDs.
What are the benefits of poly relationships?
There are many benefits of poly relationships.
- You want to be more real to yourself
- You want to expand your network of support
- You want to have sex
For the overwhelming majority of people, being in a consensual non-monogamous (CNM) relationship is about being honest about what they’re doing, meeting other like-minded people who share similar values, improving the quality of their romantic relationships, and learning how to get along with others.
Humans aren’t actually inherently monogamous, so many individuals struggle to remain faithful or continue being satisfied within a single monogamous relationship. Polygamy allows them to be conscientiously honest with themselves and their needs.
What are some challenges that polyamorous people face?
Jealousy:
Individuals in polyamorous relationships may be jealous of their partners’ participation with other people even if they consent to it.
Communication:
Because problems within a relationship can impact others, it is important that everyone involved in polyamory communicates regularly about their feelings, needs and desires.
There are no cultural models:
Because polyamory deviates from the norm, our culture provides little information on how to establish good polyamorous relationships. As a result, communication between partners is critical.
Time management is essential:
Polyamorous people must be careful to spend enough time with their relationships because they must meet the requirements of several partners.
Discrimination and stigmatization:
Polyamorous people are frequently misunderstood by the general public. As a result, they may be harassed, mocked, sacked, or have their children removed.
Who Can Enter A Polyamorous Relationship?
As long as the implication of being in a polyamorous relationship is understood, any person can be in it. A key thing to understand about polyamory is that though multiple people are involved in a relationship, that does not necessarily mean there is always sex with every partner.
To enter a polyamorous arrangement, one must have clarity about what communication and trust mean to the relationship.
How can I be respectful of polyamorous people?
- Avoid making assumptions – Polyamorous persons, like all people, come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wide range of relationship expectations, sex drives, and levels of maturity. Similarly, polyamorous relationships can take many forms, with varied degrees of commitment and engagement.
- Don’t assume that polyamory can’t work- Polygamous people, like monogamous persons, suffer relationship difficulties. However, many polyamorous relationships can be just as happy and lasting as long as monogamous ones.
- Realize that polyamorous people are not necessarily perpetually available – They, like everyone else, have a limited amount of time and energy, which limits the number of people with whom they choose to be connected.
- Don’t “out” people – Many polyamorous people do not reveal their polyamorous ideas and practices to everyone because they are afraid of being stigmatized. Respect their privacy and obtain permission before disclosing their polyamorous status to others.
Is Polyamory the Same as an Open Relationship?
Sometimes! Just like every monogamous relationship is unique, so are polyamorous and polygynous relationships. While open relationships can be considered culturally closer to polyamory than to polygamy, the distinction often refers to the emotional component rather than the legal one.
In poly setups, one person can have multiple long-term, deep, committed, and invested relationships, whereas, in an open relationship, there is the freedom to explore sexually.
Not all polygamous and polyamorous relationships are open relationships. Take a polygamous relationship in which a man can have more than one female partner, but he does not allow any of his female partners to have more than one male partner. And you could have a polyamorous relationship in which three people are dating each other, but they aren’t open to relationships outside of their circle. This is different from an open relationship that isn’t limited to specific people.
The key differences between polyamory and open relationships:
1. Polyamorous relationships involve multiple people being emotionally and/or sexually involved with each other, while open relationships only involve the parties being sexually involved with other people.
2. In a polyamorous relationship, all parties are aware of and consent to the other relationships that their partners are involved in. There is no secrecy or deception involved. In an open relationship, the parties involved may have an agreement to be monogamous with each other, but they are also free to pursue sexual relationships with other people.
3. Polyamory is about having multiple romantic partners, while an open relationship is about having the freedom to pursue sexual relationships with other people.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, polyamory is a non-traditional approach to love and relationships that challenges the societal norm of monogamy. It allows individuals to form multiple romantic or sexual connections with the consent of all parties involved.
While polyamory has its unique benefits, such as increased intimacy, communication, and personal growth, it also comes with its challenges, such as jealousy, time management, and navigating societal norms. However, with the right mindset, communication, and boundaries, polyamory can be a fulfilling and rewarding relationship style for those who choose it.
We hope this post has given you a better understanding of what polyamory is, how it works, and how it can benefit you if you’re interested in exploring this lifestyle. Remember, at the heart of polyamory is the principle of consensual non-monogamy, and only you can decide what works best for you and your relationships.
FAQ’s
What distinguishes polyamory from swinging?
Loving relationships are the main focus of polyamory, with a special emphasis on connection and relationship development. The focus of swinging is largely on casual sex. When a couple swings, they frequently go to a swing club or party together in order to meet people exclusively for sex.
Is it possible to experience real intimacy in polyamorous relationships?
Some people believe that polyamory provides a deeper connection because it allows them to explore deep feelings, struggles, and joys. For many people, the required level of honesty, self-awareness, and sensitivity to their partners’ deepest wants results in more intimacy than they have ever experienced in monogamy.
Others may realize that being involved with more than one person diminishes the special relationship or intimacy they experience with just one. Polyamory can be an extremely intimate way of bonding and loving, but it is not for everyone.
Can polyamory cause jealousy?
Yes, many polyamorous people experience and manage jealousy. Contrary to the social norm, polys, on the other hand, prefer to view jealousy as a trait to be conquered rather than mastered by. They are prepared to deal with it, discuss it, look into its origins, and see what lessons can be drawn from it.
Is polyamory a crime?
It will depend on the country you live in. Some countries like the USA allow polymerous relationships while in Muslim-dominated countries, it can be a sin (multiple relationships without a formal marriage).