What is Polyamory?

Today I would like to talk about a new and rising trend called Polyamory. It wasn’t too long ago that this new trend was brought to my attention. It is very similar to many types of open relationships such as Swinging, but there are some differences. Swinging involves many married couples engaging in sexual activities whereas a Polyamory involves many individuals that are single engaging in many sexual activities. However, there is a lot more to understand when it comes to knowing what it means to be involved in a Polyamory. Sometimes polyamory is hierarchical (one relationship takes priority over others) and sometimes they are equal. In a hierarchical scenario, a person may have primary and secondary partners.

• Primary: A primary partner is at the top of the hierarchical structure; this person may be the person with whom you live, have kids, or even marry. A primary partner is not necessary for polyamorous relationships.
• Secondary: Secondary partner(s) may not be as intertwined in your life as a primary partner; for example, you may not share housing or finances, but you may still be fully committed to each other.

The defining aspects of polyamorous relationships over other non-monogamous relationship types are consent and communication.

Polyamory should not be confused with bigamy or polygamy, which involves marriage to more than one person and is illegal in the United States. Polyamory is also not a type of sexual orientation or gender identity. However, people of all orientations and identities may participate in polyamorous relationships, including those who are straight, gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender, nonbinary, or pansexual.

If you’re looking to bring up polyamory with a potential new partner, consider a conversation starter such as:

• What type of relationship are you looking for — exclusive or nonexclusive?
• Before we get serious, I need to tell you that I’m not looking for a monogamous relationship.
• What are your thoughts about dating multiple people at once?
• Have you ever heard about polyamory? Would you ever consider giving it a try?

Unlike monogamous relationships, which by definition are limited to one partner, polyamory comes in many forms and may change over time based on the people involved.

While many polyamorous relationships are characterized by a couple who openly and consensually pursues independent or joint relationships outside of their primary relationship, others practice polyamory by having multiple independent, separate relationships, or even relationships between three or more people.

Polyamory can also be closed relationships. In a closed polyamorous relationship, individuals who are part of the polyamorous group agree to not see other people or bring more people into the relationship.

Types of Polyamorous Relationships

Triad

Also known as a “throuple,” a triad refers to a relationship with three people. Not all three people need to date one another, however. One person may be dating two different people.

Quad

As the name implies, a quad refers to a relationship with four people. This type of polyamorous relationship often occurs when two polyamorous couples meet and begin dating one person from the other couple. You can also have a full quad, where all four members are romantically or sexually involved with one another.

Polycule

This term refers to a whole network of people who are romantically connected. For example, it might include you and your primary partner, your secondary partner, your primary partner’s secondary partner, your primary partner’s secondary partner’s primary partner, and so on.

Kitchen Table Polyamory

This term refers to a family-like network formed by people who know each other. The name comes from the fact that people in this type of polyamorous relationship gather around the kitchen table for meals.

Parallel Polyamory

Parallel polyamory refers to relationships in which you’re aware of each other’s other partners but have little no contact with those partners.

Solo Polyamory

Individuals in a solo polyamorous relationship do not intend to merge their identity or life infrastructure with their partners. For example, they don’t wish to marry or share a home or finances with any of their partners.

Now it must be acknowledged that Polyamory is frowned upon by today's society. Especially by the religious right. Just like the LGBT community Polyamory has to deal with many forms of persecution. However, with divorce being on the rise with divorce lawyers making a killing in profits over the cases that they are involved in is it no wonder that people have become disenchanted with traditional marriage, and a high level of mistrust has developed between couples that are involved in intimate relationships. Could it be that many people are seeking an alternative to this nightmare? Perhaps Polyamory could be the solution. After all, how many people including famous celebrities, and yes, church leaders have been caught in participating in extra-marital affairs? Obviously, something is not right. Now I must acknowledge that one shoe does not fit all sizes. However, something has to change. Is Polyamory the answer. Only you can decide. (www.jucygtoys.com)