Non-monogamy

The Purple Mobius symbol for Polyamory and non-monogamy.
The "love outside the box" symbol for Polyamory and non-monogamy.

Non-monogamy is a blanket term which covers several types of interpersonal relationships in which some or all participants have a sexual and/or romantic relationship with a person other than their primary partner.[1] This can be contrasted with its opposite, monogamy, and yet may arise from the same psychology.[2] The term has been criticized as it may evoke to imply that monogamy is the norm and that any other way of relating is somehow a deviation of that norm.

[edit] Types of non-monogamy

Many non-monogamous terms are flexible in definition, because they are based on criteria such as 'relationship' or 'love' that are themselves variably defined. In addition, usage creates distinctions beyond the raw definitions of the words. Thus, even though some relationships might technically be considered both polygamous and polyamorous, 'polygamy' usually signifies a codified form of multiple marriage, based on established religious teachings, while 'polyamory' is based on the preferences of the participants rather than social custom or established precedent.

Forms of non-monogamy include:

  • casual relationship a physical and emotional relationship between two unmarried people who may have a sexual relationship
  • group marriage (also termed polygynandry), in which several people form a single family unit, with all considered to be married to one another
  • group sex and orgies involving more than two participants at the same time
  • Line families, a form of group marriage intended to outlive its original members by ongoing addition of new spouses
  • mnage trois, a sexual (or sometimes domestic) arrangement involving three people
  • polyamory, in which participants have multiple romantic partners
  • PolyFamilies, similar to group marriage, but some members may not consider themselves married to all other members
  • polyfidelity, in which participants have multiple partners but restrict sexual activity to within a certain group
  • polygamy, in which one person in a relationship has multiple partners
  • open marriage and open relationships, in which one or both members of a committed couple may become sexually active with other partners
  • swinging, similar to open relationships, but commonly conducted as an organised social activity

[edit] See also

[edit] References




Related topics in the Connexions Subject Index

Alternative Lifestyles Alternative Sexual Lifestyles Free Love Group Marriage Lifestyle Alternatives Marriage/Sexually-Open Monogamy Non-monogamy Open Marriage Open Relationships Polyamory Polyfidelity Polygamy Swingers


This article is based on one or more articles in Wikipedia, with modifications and additional content contributed by Connexions editors. This article, and any information from Wikipedia, is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Unported License (CC-BY-SA) and the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL).

We welcome your help in improving and expanding the content of Connexipedia articles, and in correcting errors. Connexipedia is not a wiki: please contact Connexions by email if you wish to contribute. We are also looking for contributors interested in writing articles on topics, persons, events and organizations related to social justice and the history of social change movements.

For more information contact Connexions