The world is changing and with it the way people think about relationships. Polyamory or ‘non-monogamous’ relationship is becoming more and more common these days. Even though such a relationship may seem unconventional to many, it’s gaining popularity among millennials and even Gen-Zers. A polyamorous relationship is an intimate partnership where all partners are aware of and accept the fact that they may also have other partners. The primary principle of a polyamorous relationship is that it requires complete honesty, trust and commitment from all partners involved. Whether you’re in a monogamous relationship but want to take things up a notch, or you are looking for love in your life, knowing about the pros and cons of such a relationship can help you decide if it’s right for you. Keep reading to know more about polyamorous relationships and whether they are for you or not.
What is a Polyamorous Relationship?
Polyamory is the practice of being in love or having a sexual relationship with more than one person at the same time, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. People who practice polyamory believe that it is possible to love more than one person at a time, and that those loves should be accepted as legitimate and equitable. A polyamorous relationship is an intimate partnership where all partners are aware of and accept the fact that they may also have other partners. The primary principle of a polyamorous relationship is that it requires complete honesty, trust and commitment from all partners involved. A polyamorous relationship may be between two people who each have other partners, or between three people who all have other partners. There are also “throuples,” which are triads that include three people who may be romantically involved with each other.
Pros of Polyamory
Greater honesty and trust . Building a true emotional connection with someone is a long process. It takes time and lots of consistent effort. When you are in a polyamorous relationship, you don’t have the luxury of time. You have to build trust and honest communication with not one, but multiple partners at the same time.
Access to a larger network of support . Some people in polyamorous relationships may prefer to have only emotional or romantic relationships with their partners. However, polyamorous people can often forge strong friendships with their partners’ other partners. Such friendships can be great sources of support.
Greater sexual satisfaction . Some people have the idea that polyamorous people have more sex than monogamous people. However, that isn’t necessarily true. However, polyamorous people do have the advantage of being able to explore a wider variety of sexual activities with more people.
Cons of Polyamory
Greater emotional risk : Being emotionally intimate with multiple partners can be emotionally draining, as it places an extra burden of trust on all parties involved. If you deceive one partner, you must also deceive all others. That’s a lot of pressure.
Greater risk for STIs : Since most polyamorous people decide to practice safe sex with all of their partners, STIs are usually not the biggest concern for them. However, there is the risk of passing STIs from one partner to another.
Greater risk for cheating : There is a certain social stigma against polyamory. Therefore, most people who are monogamous may not be open to the idea of a polyamorous relationship. Such disapproval can create a lot of stress and tension in a polyamorous relationship.
How to Know If It’s Right for You?
If you think that polyamory is right for you, here are some signs to look out for.
You are a relationship-oriented person . If you find yourself seeking out a romantic relationship, you may want to explore polyamory. That’s because being in a romantic relationship isn’t necessarily the same as being in a relationship. One of the reasons people are drawn to polyamory is that it allows them to explore new romantic connections and deepen the connections they already have.
You have a low threshold for boredom . If you find yourself getting bored easily, you may want to think about trying a polyamorous relationship. Why? Because you will always have new people to meet, talk to and engage with, which can help stave off boredom.
You are generous and empathetic. A large part of polyamory involves being generous and empathetic towards your partners. You should be ready to put your partners’ needs ahead of your own and be willing to go out of your way to help them. Such traits can be helpful in forming and maintaining healthy relationships.
Final Words
If you are in an exclusive, monogamous relationship and are considering opening it up, you will want to proceed with extreme caution. Polyamory can be an amazingly rewarding experience, but it does require a lot of hard work and a thick skin. If you’re not prepared to deal with the good, the bad and the ugly, you’re probably better off staying monogamous.