What Is A Non-Monogamous Relationship?
A non-monogamous relationship is generally used to indicate any relationship which falls outside the realm of monogamy. For a relationship to be non-monogamous, there has to be more than one partner at least. Though polyamory, polygamy, swinging, and extramarital affairs are all considered non-monogamous relationships, yet when someone speaks of non-monogamy, they are generally referring to polyamory. Polyamorous individuals believe that love can’t just be restricted to one person throughout their life. They have plenty of love to give and receive, which is why they can have more than one partner at a time. They believe you can have different types of relationships with different people in your life with varying levels of importance and attachment and this allows you to have a fulfilling and adventurous life, filled with those you love and cherish. And that’s what we’ll talk about today: polyamory. It’s important to note here that this non-monogamous relationship doesn’t equate to infidelity because the consent of all partners is involved. To make a distinction from infidelity, we’ll call polyamory Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM).
What It Means To Practice Ethical Non-Monogamy?
There are multiple ways of practicing an ethical non-monogamous or an ENM relationship. Partners respect each other’s boundaries and decide beforehand what they want from the relationship. In this section, we’re going to look at some of the usual practices observed in ethical non-monogamy:
1. You are transparent to each other in ethical non-monogamy
Being clear about what the concerned parties expect from an ENM relationship is crucial to sustaining it. It helps you set your boundaries and create a healthy, honest, and authentic connection. It also helps avoid any unnecessary complications in emotions and behaviors toward each other.
2. You can still have a primary relationship
A polyamorous individual may have equal relationships with each of their partners. Or there’s a primary partner with whom they prefer to spend most of their time and share plans for the future. The whole dynamic works on the basis of whether you wish to practice a hierarchical relationship structure or not.
3. There are clear-cut rules in your ENM relationship
It can often get confusing when you’re in several relationships. To keep it orderly and uncomplicated, it’s preferable to have agreements in your non-monogamous relationships. The partners can decide how they want to take their relationship forward if they want a relationship that’s sexual, romantic, or platonic, whether they see a future together or not, and more. You inform your partners about the nature of relationships that you have with others (if they ask for details). By keeping all things on the table, you avoid several potential conflicts in the future. Please remember that people can cheat within a polyamorous set-up as well if they break the polyamorous relationship rules or cross established boundaries. This is why such conversations are vital.
Types Of Non-Monogamous Relationships
There are various types of an ENM relationship. In this part, we’re going to have a look at the non-monogamous relationships chart which would give us a better idea of how it works in real life. Each relationship, though an example of ethical non-monogamy, can be entirely different from the other.
1. Non-monogamous relationship without any labels
There are a lot of individuals who don’t like practicing any specific type of non-monogamous relationship. Their relationship styles don’t show characteristics that match a type, which is why their practice is unique to them. The agreements in their relationships might be malleable. It all depends on how they decide to go about each of their relationships.
2. Open relationships
This is the kind of ethical non-monogamy where two individuals are in a relationship but they’re open to any outside sexual or romantic experiences as well. While the chief priority is the primary relationship, both the partners can be involved with other people. However, the individuals don’t usually commit themselves to the outside parties and the connections remain outside the realm of the primary relationship. There are both pros and cons of open relationships and it helps to know them all before being a part of one.
3. Polyamory
A polyamorous relationship can occur in many ways. Multiple individuals can be in a relationship with each other at the same time here. Or two individuals can be committed to each other, while also being committed to other partners at the same time, and so on. This is what’s usually referred to whenever a non-monogamous relationship is talked about.
4. Monogamish
This is a term coined for those couples who have a monogamous relationship but occasionally partake in outside sexual relationships. These types of relationships don’t usually have a romantic connection outside the primary relationship, which is why they are, more or less, a monogamous relationship. It involves a lot of established rules for both partners to follow with respect and care.
5. Relationship anarchy
Relationship anarchy implies an absence of hierarchies in relationships which means all the partners have equal priority. Or rather, a better way of putting it would be to say there’s no special priority given to any of your partners. Say, if one ENM relationship is platonic, the other purely sexual, and the third romantic and sexual, the importance of all three would be the same to the individual.
6. Polygamy
This has more of a religious or social context to it. Usually, it involves a man having multiple wives, but it can also mean a woman having multiple husbands. It’s legal in several countries around the world but has both ethical and unethical aspects to it. Despite the moral and religious constraints placed against this non-monogamous relationship, it has several practical benefits. Not only does it help you fulfill your needs and requirements more holistically, but it also gives your partners the freedom to do the same for themselves. Just as we don’t find the need to restrict ourselves to one friend, polyamorous individuals don’t find the need to restrict themselves to one partner. A successful polyamorous relationship is often a great example of how boundaries in relationships should work, how one can respect certain priorities and preferences of their partner(s), and how one can go about dealing with jealousy in polyamorous relationships as and when it arises. With polyamory, you don’t have to be reliant on just one partner to satisfy all your requirements and expectations. By keeping things open, you allow yourself to be open to new possibilities in life, explore yourself fully, and tap into an abundant resource of love. These are perhaps the primary reasons that non-monogamy is such an attractive option.
