Types of Relationships

[GlitterUnicorn]

The other day Daddy and I were talking about different types of relationships like an open relationship, polygamy and polyamory. I was wondering if somebody could properly define those three? I've tried looking it up on the web but it was all pretty ambiguous. Thanks!   

[Big Red]

Open relationship is where one is in a relationship with another, but one or both partners are open to the idea of dating others as well. Kind of like dating around, Both partners are not exclusive to one another. This does not always mean they are willing to try 3 ways nor implies they are not. This is somewhat standard in the states and the basic form of the other two you mentioned.

 

Polyamory is a relationship with more than one person as a group, Like a daddy, a mommy being together and 'adopting' a little. So this type of relationship can be involved in the ddlg community. Also not all partners must like one another physically, an example would be a straight male, a bi female and a lesbian, Its a poly-amorous relationship but not all parties like each other. Another form of Polyamory in the bdsm world is called a 'Leather Family' Where a family of 3 or more are allowed to date whoever they want within a set group of people that everyone knows about.

 

Polygamy is the status of being a individual that likes multiple people in the States. I believe in the middle east it just means 1 man with multiple wives, but back where I live its the indulgence of never being exclusive to anyone. You are free to do what you wish and you should be fine for your partner to be the same.

 

This info may differ depending what country you are in of coarse but this is taken from someone in the states, the ddlg scene, rave scene, and bdsm world.

Edited April 14, 2016 by Big Red

[sushishui]

Polygamy technically means being married to more than one person. It's illegal in the States, so usually if you meet someone who talks about it, they mean something like Big Red meant. But sometimes, particularly with Mormons, there is one man who has multiple wives -- usually married in the church, but not legally. Legally, the man and one wife are married, and the other women are friends or sisters who live nearby.

[GlitterUnicorn]

But what exactly is the difference between polyamory and an open relationship? Aren't they sort of the same?

[sushishui]

Polyamory means being able to love more than one person, whereas an open relationship may or may not have love -- it could be just sexual.

[GlitterUnicorn]

Thanks for clearing that up! 

[sushishui]

I'm not defining things quite the same was as Big Red, and it might be better to listen to him because I'm sure he has more experience in this area -- whereas he says he feels trapped being with only one woman, I feel secure -- I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable with more than one woman.

 

But with words like this you can usually get an idea of what they mean by breaking them down.

 

For example, "politics": "poly" comes from Greek and means "many", and "ticks" are bloodsucking little insects.

 

Ok, that's not really what it means -- "politics" actually comes from a different Greek word, "polis" meaning a city or state, so politics really means of or relating to the state.

 

But poly really does mean many, or multiple. It's usually compared to mono, meaning one.

 

Thus Polytheism means multiple gods. Compare it to Monotheism -- one god.

 

Polygamy means multiple spouses. Compare it to Monogamy -- one spouse.

 

Polyamory means multiple loves. This may be a bit harder to remember, because nobody ever talks about Monoamory. (Well, they do, but instead of calling it Monoamory, they call it "normal" -- maybe that isn't right, but since I'm on the Monoamory side of things, I'm not complaining.)

 

Polyamory is actually a mixed breed word. The Poly comes from Greek, but the Amor comes from Latin. It means love. You can remember it by that song: When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore.

 

(I have this unnatural need to talk too much. It's an addiction. I need a 12 step program.)

Edited April 14, 2016 by sushishui

[GlitterUnicorn]

XD It made me giggle. Thanks I've just been curious and the internet hasn't helped so far. You've got politics spot on. I'll give you that

Edited April 21, 2016 by GlitterUnicorn

[Guest Elencha]

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For example, "politics": "poly" comes from Greek and means "many", and "ticks" are bloodsucking little insects.

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Off-topic, but: Best definition of politics, EVER!