Unlike open relationships, polyamory is characterized by emotional as well as sexual or romantic intimacy among partners.
In contrast toinfidelity, adultery, and extramarital sex, polyamory is disclosed and agreed to by everyone involved.
How Do Polyamorous Relationships Work?
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Some polyamorous relationships are hierarchical (one relationship takes priority over others); other polyamorous relationships are equal.
In a hierarchical scenario, a person may have primary and secondary partners.
Others practice polyamory by having multiple independent, separate relationships, or even relationships among three or more people.
Polyamorous relationships can also be closed.
Triad
Also known as athrouple, a triad refers to a relationship with three people.
Not all three people need to date one another, however.
One person might date two different people.
In a full quad, all four members are romantically or sexually involved with one another.
Polycule
The termpolyculerefers to a web link of romantically connected people.
Kitchen-Table Polyamory
This is a family-like internet formed by people who know each other.
For example, they dont wish to marry or share a home or finances with any of their partners.
The complexity of interrelationships can leave some individuals vulnerable to exploitation.
Avoid Comparisons
Although its human nature, do your best to avoid the comparison game.
Communicating these feelings, instead of letting them consume you, is key for polyamory.
This is the opposite of jealousy.
Addressing these issues can help improve the quality of the relationship.
Keep in Mind
Only you could decide whether a polyamorous relationship is right for you.
Polyamory involves challenging the ideal of monogamy while examining your expectations of love and romantic partners.
Polyamory Society.Introduction to polyamory.
Rubel AN, Bogaert AF.Consensual nonmonogamy: Psychological well-being and relationship quality correlates.J Sex Res.
2015;52(9):961-82. doi:10.1080/00224499.2014.942722
