Polyamory 24591 225048936 2008-07-11T17:16:37Z User0529 7280847 /* Advocacy and awareness */ add navbox {{wikify|date=June 2008}} {{For|the Breaking Benjamin song|Polyamorous (Breaking Benjamin song)}} {{Close Relationships}} '''Polyamory''' (from [[Greek language|Greek]] {{lang|el|πολυ}} [''{{lang|el-Latn|poly}}'', meaning many or several] and [[Latin language|Latin]] ''{{lang|la|amor}}'' [literally “love”]) is the desire, practice, or acceptance of having more than one loving, [[intimate relationship]] at a time with the full knowledge and [[consent]] of everyone involved. Polyamorous perspectives differ from [[monogamy|monogamous]] perspectives, in that they reflect one or more partner's wish(es) to have further [[meaningful relationship]]s and to accommodate these alongside their existing relationships. The term polyamory is sometimes abbreviated to ''poly'', especially as a form of self-description, and is sometimes described as ''consensual,'' ''ethical,'' or ''responsible non-monogamy''. Polyamory is usually taken as a description of a lifestyle, [[philosophy]] or relationship orientation (much like gender orientation), rather than of an individual's actual relationship status at a given moment. It is an [[umbrella term]] that covers many orientations and modes of relationship. There is fluidity in its definition to accommodate the different shades of meaning which might be covered. Polyamorous relationships are themselves varied, reflecting the choices and philosophies of the individuals concerned. Polyamory is distinct from [[polygamy]], being closer to a personal outlook than a predefined [[Psychological bond|bonding]] system. It is grounded in such concepts as choice, trust, equality of [[free will]], and the more novel idea of [[compersion]], rather than in cultural or religious tradition. ==Overview== [[Image:Poliamory pride in San Francisco 2004.jpg|thumb|left|Start of polyamory contingent at [[San Francisco]] [[pride parade|Pride]] 2004.]] :''Source: A third party source on polyamory is the paper "Polyamory—What it is and what it isn't" (Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, Volume 6, [[February 27]], [[2003]] [http://www.ejhs.org/volume6/polyamory.htm online version]) which reviews some of the core beliefs, perspectives, practicalities and references in polyamory'' Because of its fluid nature, polyamory is sometimes loosely defined. Nevertheless, people who identify as '''polyamorous''' typically reject the view that sexual and relational exclusivity are always necessary for long-term [[loving relationship]]s. Those who are open to, or emotionally suited for a polyamorous lifestyle, may at times be single, or in [[monogamy|monogamous]] relationships, but are more typically involved in multiple [[long-term relationship|long term]] relationships. Polyamorous relationships, in practice, are highly varied and individualized. Ideally they are built upon [[values]] of [[Trust (social sciences)|trust]], [[loyalty]], [[negotiation]], and [[compersion]], as well as rejection of [[jealousy]], possessiveness, and restrictive cultural standards.<ref name="guardian1">For example: [http://www.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,3604,1085003,00.html ''When two just won't do''], Helen Echlin, ''The Guardian'', [[November 14]], [[2003]]: "For most people, the biggest stumbling block to polyamory is jealousy. But polys try to see jealousy less as a green-eyed monster than as an opportunity for character-building." Retrieved [[March 27]], [[2007]].</ref> Such relationships are often more fluid than the traditional "[[dating]] and [[marriage]]" model of long-term relationships, and the participants in a polyamorous relationship may not have preconceptions as to duration. Sex is not necessarily a primary focus in polyamorous relationships. Polyamorous relationships commonly consist of groups of more than two people seeking to build a long-term future together on mutually agreeable grounds, with sex as only one aspect of their relationship. ===Terminology=== {{Main|Terminology within polyamory}} ''Polyamory'' is a [[hybrid word]]: ''poly'' is [[Greek (language)|Greek]] for ''many'' (or ''multiple'') and ''amor'' is [[Latin]] for ''love''. The word has been coined, seemingly independently, by several people, including [[Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart]], whose article [http://www.caw.org/articles/bouquet.html "A Bouquet of Lovers"] (1990) is widely cited as its source<ref>{{cite web| author = CAWeb | title = Church of All Worlds Clergy | url = http://www.caw.org/clergy/mg/index.html | accessdate = 2006-10-14}}</ref> (but see below), and Jennifer Wesp who created the [[Usenet]] [[newsgroup]] alt.polyamory in 1992. [http://www.faqs.org/faqs/polyamory/faq/section-1.html] However, the term has been reported in occasional use since the 1960s {{Fact|date=January 2007}}, and even outside [[polygamy|polygamous]] cultures such relationships existed well before the name was coined; for one example dating from the 1920s, see [[William Moulton Marston]]. There are no verifiable sources showing the word "polyamory" in common use until after alt.polyamory was created. The older term [[polyfidelity]], a subset of polyamory, was coined decades earlier at [[Kerista]]. Most definitions center on the concepts of being open to, or engaging in, a lifestyle that potentially encompasses multiple loving relationships (of whatever form) where all parties are informed and consenting to the arrangement. However, no single definition of "polyamory" has universal acceptance; two common areas of difference arise regarding the degree of commitment (when does swinging become polyamory?) and whether it represents a viewpoint or a relational status quo (is a person open to the idea, but without partners at present, still "polyamorous"?). Similarly, an [[open relationship]] in which all participants are long-term friends might be considered "polyamorous" under broader usages of the word, but excluded from some of the tighter usages, since polyamorous relationships may or may not also be [[polyfidelitous]] (non-open, or faithful within the relationship). In 1999, Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart was asked by the editor of the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' to provide a definition of the term (which the dictionary had not previously recognized). The words "polyamory/ous/ist" were formally added to the OED in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oed.com/help/updates/pleb-Pomak.html |title=New edition: ''pleb'' to ''Pomak'' |accessdate=2007-02-16 |date= 2006-09-14 |work=Quarterly updates to OED Online}}</ref> The Ravenhearts defined and expanded the term as follows: {{quotation|The practice, state or ability of having more than one sexual loving relationship at the same time, with the full knowledge and consent of all partners involved. This term was meant to be inclusive, and in that context, we have never intended to particularly exclude "[[swinging]]" per se, if practitioners thereof wished to adopt the term and include themselves... The two essential ingredients of the concept of ''polyamory'' are ''more than one;'' and ''loving.'' That is, it is expected that the people in such relationships have a loving emotional bond, are involved in each other's lives multi-dimensionally, and care for each other. This term is not intended to apply to merely casual recreational sex, anonymous orgies, one-night stands, pick-ups, [[prostitution]], "cheating," serial monogamy, or the popular definition of swinging as "mate-swapping" parties.|Ravenhearts FAQ on Polyamory<ref name="ravenhearts poly faq">{{cite web| author = The Ravenhearts | title = Frequently-Asked Questions re: Polyamory | url = http://www.mithrilstar.org/Polyamory%20FAQ-Ravenhearts.htm | accessdate = 2006-07-18}}</ref>}} The terms ''primary'' (or ''primary relationship(s)'') and ''secondary'' (or ''secondary relationship(s)'') are often used to indicate a hierarchy of different relationships or the place of each relationship in the speaker's life. Thus, a woman with a husband and another partner might refer to the husband as her "primary". (Of course, this is in addition to any other [[term of endearment]]). Some polyamorous people use this as an explicit hierarchy of relationships, while others consider it insulting to the people involved, believing that a person's partners should be considered equally important. Another model, sometimes referred to as ''intimate network'', includes relationships that are of varying significance to the people involved, but are not explicitly labeled as "primary" or "secondary." Within this model, any hierarchy may be fluid and vague, or nonexistent. ===Symbols of polyamory=== [[Image:Polyamory.svg|thumb|left|148px|A red [[Heart (symbol)|♥]] interlaced with a blue [[Lemniscate|∞]] is one symbol of polyamory.<ref name="ILIC">{{cite web | url = http://www.hevanet.com/alexwest/parrots/symbolist.html | title = A List of Poly Symbols | accessdate = 2002-05-11 | author = [http://www.hevanet.com/alexwest/mail_me.html West, Alex] | date = [[2001-02-06]] | quote = variations on Pi-and-the-three-colors the ILIC symbol. ... The symbol that started this category, Jim Evans' Poly Pride Flag. He has put this image in the public domain. ... "ILIC" stands for Infinite Love in Infinite Combinations (a reference to Star Trek's IDIC credo --- the D in the Star Trek version stands for "Diversity"). When I first listed this symbol, I did not have a copy of this image archived locally (even though the author said on his site that the symbol was public domain)}}</ref>]] Although people who are polyamorous have adopted a number of symbols, none has universal recognition. The most common symbol is the red and white [[Heart (symbol)| heart]] ([[:wikt:♥|♥]]) combined with the blue [[infinity]] sign ([[:wikt:∞|∞]]).<ref name="ILIC"/> [[Image:Polyamory-flag.svg|thumb|right|[http://www.isomedia.com/homes/jene/flag.html Jim Evans] designed the poly pride flag, consisting of three equal horizontal colored stripes, blue, red, and black, with a gold {{lang|el|[[Pi (letter)|π]]}} in the center. This design is in the [[public domain]].<ref name="ILIC"/><ref name="Poly flag">{{cite web | url = http://www.isomedia.com/homes/jene/flag.html | title = Jim Evans' Polyamory Pride Flag | accessdate = 2006-02-08 | last = Evans | first = Jim | date= 1999-07-06 | work = ISOMEDIA - Business Solutions from Internet to eMedia | publisher = ISOMEDIA, INC. | pages = 1 | quote = The poly pride flag consists of three equal horizontal colored stripes with a symbol in the center of the flag. The colors of the stripes, from top to bottom, are as follows: blue, representing the openness and honesty among all partners with which we conduct our multiple relationships; red, representing love and passion; and black, representing solidarity with those who, though they are open and honest with all participants of their relationships, must hide those relationships from the outside world due to societal pressures. The symbol in the center of the flag is a gold Greek lowercase letter '{{lang|el-Latn|pi}}', as the first letter of 'polyamory'. The letter's gold color represents the value that we place on the emotional attachment to others, be the relationship friendly or romantic in nature, as opposed to merely primarily physical relationships. This design is in the public domain. If you decide to use it, credit to Jim Evans would be nice, but is not required.}}</ref>]] The poly pride flag consists of three equal horizontal colored stripes with a symbol in the center of the flag. The colors of the stripes, from top to bottom, are as follows: blue, representing the openness and honesty among all partners with which people who are polyamorous conduct their multiple relationships; red, representing love and passion; and black, representing solidarity with those who, though they are open and honest with all participants of their relationships, must hide those relationships from the outside world due to societal pressures. The symbol in the center of the flag is a gold Greek lowercase letter “{{lang|el-Latn|''[[Pi (letter)|pi]]''}}” ({{lang|el|[[wikt:π|π]]}}), as the first letter of "polyamory" . The letter's gold color represents the value that people who are polyamorous place on the emotional attachment to others, be the relationship friendly or romantic in nature, as opposed to merely primarily physical relationships.<ref name="Poly flag"/> [[Image:ILIC symbol.gif|thumb|left|A variation on Pi-and-the-three-colors is the symbol of ILIC (Infinite Love in Infinite Combinations) that is also public domain.<ref name="ILIC"/>]] The symbol of ILIC (Infinite Love in Infinite Combinations) is a reference to the ''[[Star Trek]]'' ''kol-ut-shan'' or symbol of philosophy of [[Vulcan IDIC]] (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations).<ref name="ILIC"/><ref>{{cite video |people = [[Terry Windell]] (Direcor) [[Tim Russ]] (Actor: [[Tuvok]]) |date2 = 1999-02-03 |title =<!-- Do not move any apostrophes ('). --> '''[[Star Trek:Voyager]]'' “[[Gravity (Star Trek: Voyager)|Gravity]]”' |medium = [[Production company|Television production]] | publisher = [[Paramount Pictures]] |location = [[Los Angeles, California]] |quote = ''kol-ut-shan''}}</ref> [[Image:Parrot polyamory mascot.gif|thumb|right|Ray Dillinger placed the parrot graphic in the public domain for use as a poly mascot.<ref name="poly parrot">{{cite web | url = http://www.polyamory.org/ | title = alt.polyamory home page | accessdate = 2007-10-09 | last = Dillinger | first = Ray | date = [[1997-06-08]] | quote = Parrot graphic by Ray Dillinger, placed in the public domain for use as a poly mascot.}}</ref>]] Another is the image of a [[parrot]], since "Polly" is a common name for these birds.<ref name="poly parrot"/><ref name = "PolyOz">PolyOz states in its [http://polyoz.scm-rpg.com.au/postnuke2/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=8&meid=-1 polyamory glossary] that "The parrot is a common poly "mascot" or symbol. Punning on 'poly wanna X'".</ref><ref name = "Guardian">A 2003 [http://www.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,3604,1085003,00.html article] in ''[[The Guardian]]'' states "Today America has more than 100 poly email lists and support groups. Their emblem, which marks the table when they meet in restaurants, is the parrot (because of their nickname Polly)."</ref> Author Mystic Life describes this symbol an ironic reference to Parrot monogamy.<ref name = "Spiritual">Mystic Life (December 2003) in [http://www.spiritualpolyamory.com/ "Spiritual Polyamory"] ISBN 978-0595305414</ref><ref name="Rowley">Rowley I(1997) "Family Cacatuidae (Cockatoos)" in ''[[Handbook of the Birds of the World]] Volume 4; Sandgrouse to Cuckoos'' (eds del Hoyo J, Elliott A, Sargatal J) Lynx Edicions:Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-22-9</ref> ===Forms of polyamory=== Forms of polyamory include: * [[Polyfidelity]], which involves multiple romantic relationships with sexual contact restricted to specific partners in a group (which may include all members of that group). * Sub-relationships, which distinguish between [[primary and secondary (relationship)|"primary" and "secondary" relationships]] (e.g. most [[open marriage]]s). * [[Polygamy]] ([[polygyny]] and [[polyandry]]), in which one person [[marriage|marries]] several spouses (who may or may not be married to, or have romantic relationships with, one another). * Group relationships and [[group marriage]], in which all consider themselves associated to one another, popularized to some extent by [[Robert A. Heinlein]] (in novels such as ''[[Stranger in a Strange Land]]'', ''[[Time Enough For Love]]'', ''[[Friday (novel)|Friday]]'', and ''[[The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress]]''). Also works by [[Robert Rimmer]], and [[Starhawk]] in her books ''[[The Fifth Sacred Thing]]'' (1993) and ''Walking to Mercury'' (1997). * Networks of interconnecting relationships, where a particular person may have relationships of varying degrees of importance with various people. * Mono/poly relationships, where one partner is monogamous but agrees to the other having outside relationships. * So-called "geometric" arrangements, which are described by the number of people involved and their relationship connections. Examples include "triads" and "quads", along with "V" and "N" geometries. A triad could be either a V or a triangle. (See: [[Terminology within polyamory]].) ===The fringes and outliers of polyamory=== {{Main|Terminology within polyamory}} The expression ''[[open relationship]]'' denotes a relationship (most often between two people, although there are also open group marriages) in which participants may have sexual connections with others, within the context of the existing relationship's negotiated agreements. When a married couple makes such an agreement, it may be termed an [[open marriage]]. "Open relationship" and "polyamorous" are not identical in meaning. Some forms of polyamorous relationship are not "open" (e.g. polyfidelity). And some self-identified open relationships may be open only sexually, while exclusive emotionally. However, there is broad overlap between open relationships and polyamory. Polyamory is not an exclusive identification; it is possible for a person with polyamorous relationships to also engage in casual sex, traditional swinging, sexually but not emotionally open relationships, or even to patronize [[sex workers]]. Sometimes polyamorous people have been known to engage in infidelities or secret affairs, although this is no better accepted in polyamorous communities than in monogamous ones. There is some disagreement within polyamory as to whether somebody in a sexually and romantically exclusive dyadic relationship should be considered polyamorous if they have additional non-sexual but emotionally intimate friendships. Many monogamous people have close emotional ties to friends and relatives without finding that incompatible with societal monogamous values, so long as sexual and romantic elements are excluded, and thus feel no need for a non-monogamous identity. The transgressive aspect which definitively separated polyamory from monogamy and led to a the need for distinguishing terminology and subculture was the sexual or romantic element of those additional relationships. However, some people in sexually exclusive relationships but with additional close emotional friendships do self-identify as polyamorous, and as they often share many subcultural values, the community accepts such people. There is some ambiguity about whether polyamory is a description of current practice as objectively observable, or is an underlying attitude or "orientation" similar to, for example, [[heterosexuality]]. Some people identify as polyamorous because of what they seek or are open to, even if at present they are in relationship with only one other person, or have no sexual loving relationships. And some self-identified polyamorists could agree to a monogamous relationship with a partner with whom that works best, or could be open to a polyamorous relationship with a different partner. That is, they in essence define "polyamorous" in broader terms of being compatible with and open to the option of polyamory in some relationships, rather than a narrower sense of being incompatible with monogamy and requiring polyamory in all relationships. See also [[forms of nonmonogamy]] for other types of nonmonogamous relationship. ===Cultural diversity within polyamory=== "Polygamy" is more often used to refer to codified forms of multiple marriage (especially those with a traditional/religious basis), while "modern polyamory" or "egalitarian polyamory" implies a relationship defined by negotiation between its members, rather than by cultural norms. Egalitarian polyamory is culturally rooted in such concepts as choice and individuality, rather than in religious traditions. Egalitarian polyamory is more closely associated with values, subcultures and ideologies that favor individual freedoms and equality in sexual matters &mdash; most notably, those reflected by sexual freedom advocacy groups such as [[Woodhull Freedom Foundation & Federation]] [http://www.woodhullfederation.org], [[NCSF]] [http://www.ncsfreedom.org/] and [[ACLU]] [http://www.acluutah.org/pluralmarriage.htm]. However, polygamy advocacy groups and activists and egalitarian polyamory advocacy groups and activists can and do work together cooperatively (see LovingMorePolyactive[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LovingMorePolyactive/] and PolyLegal[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/polylegal/] and Principle Voices[http://www.principlevoices.org/]). In addition, the two subcommunities have many common issues (poly parenting, dealing with jealousy, legal and social discrimination, etc.), the discussion and resolution of which are of equal interest to both subcommunities regardless of any cultural differences that may exist. Moreover, there is considerable cultural diversity within both subcommunities. Religiously motivated polygamy has its [[Islamic]], [[Mormon fundamentalist]], [[Christian Plural Marriage]], [[Jewish]]<ref>Broward County Jewish Journal, Thursday, [[May 29]], [[2008]], p. 16, Polygamy and the Right of Privacy, Rabbi Bruce S. Warshal, Publisher Emeritus: "polygamy [...] happens to be legal under halachic rabbinic Judaism and appears throughout the bible"</ref> and other varieties; similarly, many egalitarian polyamorists have cultural ties to [[Naturism]] [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/polynaturist], [[Neopaganism|Neo-Pagans]],<ref>From PolyOz glossary on the book ''[[Stranger in a Strange Land]]'' which "served as an inspiration to many poly folks before the term "polyamory" was even invented...[and] ... also inspired the Neopagan Church of All Worlds, which has been a long term poly hotbed" [http://polyoz.scm-rpg.com.au/postnuke2/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=8&meid=-1]</ref> [[BDSM]], Modern [[Tantra]],<ref>[[OneTaste]]</ref> and other special interest groups. For example, egalitarian polyamory and [[BDSM]] often face similar challenges (e.g. negotiating the ground rules for unconventional relationships, or the question of [[coming out]] to family and friends), and [[cross-pollination]] of ideas takes place between the two.<ref>For instance, [[Dossie Easton]] and [[Janet Hardy]], co-authors of ''[[The Ethical Slut]]'', are equally well-known as authors on BDSM; in the introduction to ''The New Bottoming Book'', Hardy describes herself as "a standard-issue Northern California bisexual polyamorous [[switch (sexuality)|switch]]".</ref> ==Legal status == In most countries, it is legal for three or more people to form and share a sexual relationship (subject sometimes to laws against [[homosexuality]]). However, most Western countries do not permit marriage among more than two people. Nor do they give strong and equal legal protection (e.g. of rights relating to children) to non-married partners &mdash; the legal regime is not comparable to that applying to married couples. Individuals involved in polyamorous relationships are considered by the law to be no different from people who live together, or "date", under other circumstances. Usually one couple, at most, can be "married" under civil and/or religious law. [[Bigamy]] is the act of marrying one person while already being married to another, and is legally prohibited in most countries where monogamy is the cultural norm. Some bigamy statutes are broad enough to potentially encompass polyamorous relationships involving [[cohabitation]], even if none of the participants claim marriage to more than one partner. For instance, under Utah Code 76-7-101, "A person is guilty of bigamy when, knowing he has a husband or wife or knowing the other person has a husband or wife, the person purports to marry another person ''or cohabits with another person''." Having multiple non-marital partners, even if married to one, is legal in most U.S. jurisdictions; at most it constitutes grounds for [[divorce]] if the spouse is non-consenting (or claims to be), or feels that the interest in a further partner has destabilized the marriage. There are exceptions to this: in [[North Carolina]], a spouse can sue a third party for causing "loss of affection" in or "criminal conversation" ([[adultery]]) with their spouse,<ref>[http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/coa/opinions/2001/010003-1.htm RUBY DEATON PHARR, Plaintiff, v. JOYCE W. BECK, Defendant]</ref> and more than twenty states in the US have laws against adultery<ref>[http://writ.news.findlaw.com/grossman/20031216.html Punishing Adultery in Virginia] by JOANNA GROSSMAN</ref> although they are infrequently enforced. Some states were prompted to review their laws criminalizing consensual sexual activity in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling in [[Lawrence_v._texas|Lawrence v. Texas]]. One reading of Justice Kennedy's opinion in Lawrence is that states may not constitutionally burden any private, consensual sexual activity between adults. Such a reading would throw laws against fornication, adultery, and even adult incest into question. New Jersey's 2004 Domestic Partnership Act could in theory be used to legally connect more than two persons (albeit imperfectly), perhaps using a combination of marriage and [[domestic partnership]]. However, no case law in support of this theory as yet exists. The late Rev. [[Jerry Falwell]]'s Liberty Counsel organization filed the following California Supreme Court arguments on [[May 29]], [[2008]]: [... The California same-sex marriage (SSM) ruling] has created a system in which a same-sex couple (or even an opposite-sex couple) could be married, in a domestic partnership, and in a separate civil union all at the same time. [...] a person could have the rights, benefits and obligations of marriage with one same-sex partner in a California domestic partnership and/or a California marriage, and all the rights, benefits and obligations of a civil union with a different partner, especially since California has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. As a result, three or more people could claim community property rights in the same piece of property, parental rights over children, and the rights to alimony, child support, death benefits, insurance proceeds and employee benefits belonging to one of the other parties. [...] Domestic partnerships are available to same-sex couples over the age of 18 and to opposite-sex couples if at least one person is age 62 or older. [...] an unmarried person over the age of 18 and an unmarried person over the [age of] 18 who are not otherwise disqualified are capable of consenting to and consummating a marriage. [...] domestic partnerships are not marriages. Therefore, a person who is part of a [...] domestic partnership is "unmarried" and able to enter into marriage with another person over the age of 18. [...] a person can enter into a domestic partnership if he or she is not married to someone else or is not a member of another domestic partnership with someone else that has not been terminated, dissolved, or ajudged a nullity. While this would mean that [people] could not enter into a domestic partnership after they are already married, it does not prevent them from getting married after entering into a domestic partnership. [...] couples who are part of domestic partnerships or civil unions in other states would be able to get married in California. This would mean that [if] Parties An and B [...] are in a Vermont civil union (or New Jersey or Connecticut civil union), and Parties C and D are also in a civil union, and Parties E and F are also in a civil union, then An and C could come to California to get married, and at the same time B and F could get married, and D and E could get married, all at the same time. [...] Therefore, [the California SSM ruling] legitimizes polygamy and polyamory. [...]<ref>[http://www.lc.org/media/9980/attachments/motion_stay_casct052908.pdf Petition for Rehearing and Motion for Stay]</ref> At present, the extension to multiple-partner relationships of laws that use a criterion similar to that adopted in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], i.e. "married ''or living together as married''" remains largely untested. That is, it is not known whether these laws could treat some trios or larger groups as [[common-law marriage]]s. If marriage is intended, most countries provide for both a religious marriage, and a civil ceremony (sometimes combined). These recognize and formalize the relationship. Few Western countries give either religious or legal recognition &mdash; or permission&mdash;to marriages with three or more partners. While a recent case in [[the Netherlands]] was commonly read as demonstrating that [[the Netherlands]] permitted multiple-partner [[civil union]]s,<ref>[http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/301 First Trio "Married" in The Netherlands] by Paul Belien, Brussels Journal Online</ref> this belief is mistaken. The relationship in question was a ''[[:nl:samenlevingscontract|samenlevingscontract]]'', or "cohabitation contract," and not a registered partnership or marriage ([http://www.refdag.nl/artikel/1230743/&bdquo%3BHuwelijk+wordt+steeds+verder+opgerekt&rdquo%3B.html Dutch-language source], [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/494pqobc.asp?pg=2 English-language source]). The Netherlands' law concerning registered partnerships provides that: #A person may be involved in one only registered partnership with one other person whether of the same or of opposite sex at any one time. #Persons who enter into a registered partnership may not at the same time be married. :([http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5569018&postID=112809608334316668&isPopup=true source]) When a relationship ends, non-consensual non-fidelity ("cheating") is often grounds for an unfavorable [[divorce]] settlement, and non-fidelity generally could easily be seized upon as a prejudicial issue by an antagonistic partner. Married people with partners external to their marriage need to consider carefully the laws in their jurisdiction, to ensure that they are complied with, and consider how to ensure that the mutuality of their decision within their marriage is clear. ==Legal theory == There is an ongoing discussion among polyamory activists regarding a legal model of polyamorous marriage (i.e., the extension of the legal concept of marriage to include polyamorous families). One debate centers around the relative merits of an ''all-with-all'' approach to marriage (whereby three or more persons are all joined together at the same time within a single marriage) and ''dyadic networks'' <!-- member only yahoo link [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LovingMorePolyactive/message/2134] --> (whereby existing laws against bigamy are revised such that people are perfectly free to be concurrently married to multiple other persons, provided that each such new marriage is preceded by a legal notification regarding the pending new marriage to all those to whom one is already married; failure to provide that legal notification would then constitute the updated crime of bigamy). These may conveniently be termed, respectively, the "[[Transitive relation|transitive]]" and "[[Intransitive relation|not transitive]]" models for group marriage using terminology from the mathematical study of [[binary relations]]. Dyadic networks would result in what might be thought of as a "molecular" family structure &mdash; one which might be best represented by the molecular diagrams commonly used in [[chemistry]]. In this way, marriage would remain a dyadic relationship (i.e., a relationship between two persons), thus minimizing any changes to the existing system of legal marriage, but the introduction of concurrency would provide access to legal marriage for polyamorous families. Dyadic networks can correctly represent any situation associated with the "all-with-all" paradigm, as well as many situations that the "all-with-all" paradigm cannot deal with. A "complete" dyadic network would take the form of a [[complete graph]], in which every person is (pairwise) married to every other person, thus correctly representing any situation associated with the "all-with-all" paradigm. A dyadic network may also represent situations in which some persons are (pairwise) married to some members of the dyadic network but not to all of them ("V" and "N" geometries, for example) &mdash; these are situations that the "all-with-all" marriage paradigm is unable to accurately represent. The "all-with-all" marriage paradigm assumes that everyone is equally involved with everyone else in the group &mdash; one global marriage agreement has to fit every participant at the same time. But dyadic network marriages separately define the terms of each specific 2-person relationship, and these dyadic marriages do not typically happen at the same time (A marries B, B marries C ("V" structure), C marries D ("N" structure), etc. &mdash; thus, the shape of the dyadic network dynamically changes over time). Participants in a dyadic network need not even be aware of the specific terms of marriage agreements existing elsewhere within the same dyadic network. Under the "all-with-all" marriage paradigm, when irreconcilable differences arise there can be no alternative to a complete separation &mdash; one person cannot divorce another without ending the entire marriage agreement for everyone involved. But dyadic networks can function in much the same way as watertight compartmentalization functions in naval vessels, i.e., to limit and contain damage. An intense disagreement between two persons takes place within the context of their marriage, and need not greatly involve (or threaten) the relationships between other participants. Within a well-connected dyadic network, a divorce between two persons need not result in a complete separation of the network &mdash; for example, a dyadic network with triangle geometry would simply turn into a dyadic network with "V" geometry. An "all-with-all" marriage can only exist or cease to exist. In contrast, the shape of a dyadic network can dynamically change over time. Divorces subtract connections, and marriages add connections. The dyadic network itself either changes shape, separates into two dyadic networks, or merges into another dyadic network, depending on the precise nature of the newly added or subtracted connection. The maximum size of an "all-with-all" marriage is limited by the fact that every participant must be aware of the existence of every other participant (otherwise the global marriage contract would be invalid, because it could not satisfy the legal condition known as a "meeting of the minds"). But since a dyadic network relies only upon every participant's local knowledge of his or her own direct partners, its size is theoretically unlimited. The dyadic network paradigm is so powerful that it is theoretically capable of managing a situation in which every adult on earth is legally joined together in a single enormous dyadic network. Thus, with the dyadic network model, the idea of "many loves" is directly translated into a practical reality, and the "infinity" symbol (representing love without limits) is directly matched by a marriage model capable of handling an infinitely large number of participants. However, the "all-with-all" or "dyadic" are not the only possible forms of polyamorous marriage. As another example, entry and exit of a marriage contract may follow the model of shareholders in a [[corporation]] or members in a [[limited liability corporation]]. ==Polyamory as a lifestyle== Separate from polyamory as a philosophical basis for relationship, are the practical ways in which people who live a polyamorous lifestyle arrange their lives, the issues they face, and how these compare to those living a monogamous lifestyle. ===Values within polyamory=== {{Main|Values within polyamory}} Relationships classed as polyamorous involve an emotional bond and often a longer term intent, though these distinctions are a topic open to debate and interpretation. Many people in the swinging and polyamory communities see both practices as part of a broader spectrum of open intimacy and [[Human sexuality|sexuality]]. Also note that the values discussed here are ''ideals''. As with any ideals, their adherents sometimes fall short of the mark &mdash; but major breaches of a polyamorous relationship's ideals are taken as seriously as such breaches would be in any other relationship. Common values cited within such relationships include:{{Fact|date=February 2007}} * '''Fidelity and loyalty:''' Many polyamorists define ''fidelity'' as being faithful to the promises and agreements they have made, rather than in terms of per se sexual exclusivity. Having a secret sexual relationship which violated one's negotiated agreements would be seen as lacking fidelity. Polyamorists generally base definitions of ''commitment'' on considerations other than sexual exclusivity, e.g. "trust and honesty" or "growing old together".<ref>{{cite web| first = Elaine | last = Cook | title = Commitment in Polyamorous Relationships | url = http://www.aphroweb.net/papers/thesis/index.htm |date= 2005 | accessdate = 2006-07-10}}</ref> * '''Trust, honesty, dignity and respect:''' Most polyamorists emphasize respect, trust and honesty for all partners.<ref name="polyoz_values">From PolyOz glossary: "Not in the [linguistic roots of the term] but very important is the commitment to honesty with all partners, and openly negotiated ground rules." [http://polyoz.scm-rpg.com.au/postnuke2/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=8&meid=-1]</ref><ref name="s.org">From [http://www.sexuality.org/book/ sexuality.org]: "Two of the cultural cornerstones of the polyamory community are honesty and communication: it's expected that you and your existing long-term partner(s) will have talked over what you're comfortable with and what you aren't comfortable with, and that nobody is going around behind anyone else's back."</ref> A partner's partners should be ''accepted'' as part of that person's life rather than merely ''tolerated'', and a relationship that requires deception, or where partners are not allowed to express their individual lives, is often seen as a poor model. * '''Mutual support:''' This requires that each partner will support, and not undermine, the other, and will not deliberately use a secondary relationship to harm another party or relationship. * '''Communication and negotiation:''' Because there is no "standard model" for polyamorous relationships, and reliance upon common expectations may not be realistic, polyamorists often advocate explicitly deciding the ground rules of their relationships with all concerned, and often emphasize that this should be an ongoing process of communication and respect. Polyamorists usually take a pragmatic approach to their relationships; they accept that sometimes they and their partners will make mistakes and fail to live up to these ideals, and that communication is important for repairing any breaches.<ref name="polyoz_values" /><ref name="s.org" /> * '''Non-possessiveness:''' Polyamorists believe that restrictions on other deep relationships are ''not'' for the best, as they tend to replace trust with a framework of ownership and control. They tend to see their partner's partners in terms of the gain to their partner's life rather than the threat to their own (see [[compersion]]). Poly relationships do vary and some can be possessive or provide for the primary partner's veto or approval, whilst others are [[symmetry|asymmetrical]]&mdash;possessive one way, but not the other. ===Sharing of domestic burden=== Claimed benefits of a polyamorous lifestyle include the following:<ref>PolyamoryOnline ''[http://www.polyamoryonline.org/articles/polyamoury_101.html Polyamory 101]: Consensual Non-Monogamy for the 21st Century'' "In a polyamourous relationship, this ['A burden shared is a burden lessened'] is doubly true. If you are having problems with one of the people in the relationship, often you can talk to another participant about it, with the added advantage of having a confidant with a good perspective on the relationship. When one person has problems, everyone else is there to help them through it. Child rearing benefits greatly in a polyamourous setting as well. Children are exposed to a wide range of viewpoints and experiences. To use a personal example, children raised in my Family... are exposed to my experiences growing up in rural Illinois, two of our Family's childhoods in the city of Chicago, and my fiancee's childhood in South Carolina. Perhaps one day we will have a Family member from outside the United States, offering an entirely different perspective. This also makes it easier to supervise a child. When many people live in the same household, they can take turns supervising the children, offering the rest of the members of the household a chance to catch up on chores, do homework, or simply go out for a while. Try doing that in a two-parent household without paying for a babysitter. On a purely practical note, having ten incomes in a household is much more flexible than just two. If one of the family suffers a loss of income, the others can help to make up for it. It is much easier to get by after losing one tenth of household income than it is after losing one half. Expenses are also significantly reduced in a polyamourous household, as they are in any situation when multiple adults occupy the same house."</ref> * The ability for parties to discuss issues with a (separate) partner within the relationship itself, tending to add mediation and stabilization to a relationship, and reduce polarization of viewpoints. * Emotional and similar support structure provided by other committed adults within the family unit. * A wider range of experience, skills, resources, and perspectives that multiple adults bring to a relationship. * The ability to share chores and child supervision, reducing domestic and child rearing pressure upon adults' time without needing to pay for outside child carers. * Greatly reduced ''per capita'' cost of living. * Increased financial stability&mdash;the loss of one income is not the entirety of the family income (if only one parent works), or half the family income (if both parents work), but may be far less. ===Specific issues affecting polyamorous relationships=== Polyamorists cite the human tendency towards [[jealousy]] and possessiveness as major hurdles in polyamory, and also as personal limitations to overcome:<ref name="guardian1" /> :"Possessiveness can be a major stumbling block, and often it prevents what could be a successful polyamourous relationship from forming. When people are viewed, even inadvertently, as possessions, they become a commodity, a valuable one at that. Just as most people are reluctant to let go of what little money that they have, people are also reluctant to "share" their beloved. After all, what if [their beloved] finds someone else who is more attractive/intelligent/well-liked/successful/etc.. than [themselves], and decides to abandon the relationship in favor of the new lover? These sorts of inferiority complexes must be resolved, completely, before a polyamorous relationship can be truly successful"<ref>[http://www.polyamoryonline.org/poly101.html Poly 101]</ref> An editorial article on the polyamory website ''[http://www.polyamoryonline.org Polyamoryonline.org]'' as at 2006 proposes the following issues as being worthy of specific coverage and attention:<ref>[http://www.polyamoryonline.org/ready.html A few insights (FAQ)]</ref> :* Helping children cope with "being different." :* "[[Coming out]]" as polyamorous (and explaining polyamory) to children. :* Polyamorous parental interactions. :* Polyamory social settings (involving children). :* Legal (parenting) issues. The author, herself in a polyamorous relationship of three adults, comments that: :"The kids started realizing that there were three adults in the house that they had to answer to. **Big Shock** Then came the onslaught of trying to 'befriend' a particular adult and get what they wanted from that one adult. Another big shock when they found that it didn’t work and that we all communicated about wants or needs of any given child. After this was established, we sort of fell into our patterns of school, practices, just normal life in general. The kids all started realizing that there were three of us to care for them when they were sick, three of us to get scolded from, hugs from, tickles from; three of us to feed the small army of mouths and three of us to trust completely in. After trust was established, they asked more questions. Why do we have to live together? Why can’t I have my own room? ... Why do you guys love each other? Why do I have to listen to them (non-biological parent)? We answered them as truthfully as we could and as much as was appropriate for their age. I found that it was more unnerving for me to think about how to approach a new kid and their parents than it ever was for the kids." ===Polyamory in a same-sex setting=== Polyamory is "a well-accepted part of [[gay subculture]]", although "often viewed by some therapists as problematic";<ref>[[Michael Shernoff]], Family Process, Vol.45 No.4, 2006 [http://www.familyprocess.org/Data/featured_articles/65_shernoff.pdf])</ref> somewhere between 30%<!-- ie 100% less 70%!!! --><ref>"70% of men in male couples reported being in a monogamous relationship" - Campbell, 2000 (cited by Michael Shernoff, Family Process, Vol.45 No.4, 2006 [http://www.familyprocess.org/Data/featured_articles/65_shernoff.pdf])</ref> and 67%<!-- ie 100% less "approximately one third"!!! --><ref>"approximately one third of male couples are sexually exclusive" - Bryant & Demian, 1994; Wagner et al, 2000; Advocate Sex Poll, 2002; LaSala, 2004 (cited by Michael Shernoff, Family Process, Vol.45 No.4, 2006 [http://www.familyprocess.org/Data/featured_articles/65_shernoff.pdf])</ref> of men in male couples report being in a sexually non-monogamous relationship. According to Coleman & Rosser (1996), "although a majority of male couples are not sexually exclusive, they are in fact emotionally monogamous."<ref>Cited by Michael Shernoff, Family Process, Vol.45 No.4, 2006 [http://www.familyprocess.org/Data/featured_articles/65_shernoff.pdf])</ref> Shernoff states that: : "One of the biggest differences between male couples and mixed sex couples is that many, but by no means all within the gay community have an easier acceptance of sexual nonexclusivity than does heterosexual society in general [....] Research confirms that nonmonogamy in and of itself does not create a problem for male couples when it has been openly negotiated."<ref>Michael Shernoff, Family Process, Vol.45 No.4, 2006 [http://www.familyprocess.org/Data/featured_articles/65_shernoff.pdf])</ref> ===Polyamory and parenting=== Many polyamorists have children, either within the relationship(s) or from a previous relationship. Like other elements of polyamory, the way in which children are integrated into the family structure varies widely. Some possibilities are: * Parents are primarily responsible for their own children (biological, adoptive, or step-), but other members of the relationship act as an [[extended family]], providing assistance in child-rearing. * Adults raise children collectively, all taking equal responsibility for each child regardless of [[consanguinity]]. * Parents are wholly responsible for their own children, with other members of the relationship relating to the children as friends of the parents. * Children treat parents' partners as a form of [[Stepfamily|step-parent]]. The choice of structures is affected by timing: an adult who has been present throughout a child's life is likely to have a more parental relationship with that child than one who enters a relationship with people who already have a teenage child. (The issues involved often parallel those of step-parenting.) The degree of logistical and emotional involvement between the members of the relationship is also important: a close-knit triad already living under one roof with shared finances is far more likely to take a collective approach to parenting than would a larger, loose-knit group with separate living arrangements: : "Some poly families are structured so that one parent can be home to care for the children while two or more other adults work outside the home and earn an income, thus providing a better standard of living for all concerned. More adult caretakers means more people available for child care, help with homework, and daily issues such as transportation to extracurricular activities. Children thrive on love. The more adults they have to love them who are part of the family, the happier and more well-adjusted they are. There is no evidence that growing up in a poly family is detrimental to the physical, psychological or moral well being of children. If parents are happy in their intimate relationships, it helps the family. Happy families are good for children."<ref name = "online">[http://www.polyamoryonline.org/ready.html Polyamory Online].</ref> Whether children are fully informed of the nature of their parents' relationship varies, according to the above considerations and also to whether the parents are "[[coming out|out]]" to other adults.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} In one possible case indicative of the law related to parenting and polyamory in the United States, the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court in 2006 voted 5-1 that a father in a custody case had the right to teach his child (age 13) about polygamy (and hence possibly by implication about other multiple partner relationships), and that this right "trumped" the anti-bigamy and other laws which might apply and was not deemed inherently harmful to the child. (Note: this decision was made in the context of religious freedom, but religious freedom would not apply if there was harm to the child.)<ref>[http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/pennsylvaniastatecases/supreme/j-97-2004mo.pdf Shepp v. Shepp, J-97-2004], 2006, PA supreme court. The opinion stated that: the state's interest in enforcing the anti-bigamy law "is not an interest of the 'highest order"' that would trump a parent's right to tell a child about deeply held religious beliefs, and that a court may prohibit a parent from advocating religious beliefs that amount to a crime if doing so jeopardizes the child's physical or mental health or safety, or potentially creates significant social burdens, but that in this case it was not felt that discussing multiple partner relationships as a parents' preference or presenting or advocating them as desirable to the parent, was harmful.</ref> ====Custody ramifications==== Parents involved in polyamorous relationships often keep it a secret because of the risk that it will be used by an ex-spouse, or other family member, as grounds to deprive them of custody of and/or access to their children. The fear is that it will be used in family disputes much as [[homosexuality]] has been used in the past. In 1998, a [[Tennessee]] court granted guardianship of a child to her grandmother and step-grandfather after the child's mother [[April Divilbiss]] and partners [[outing|outed]] themselves as polyamorous on [[MTV]]. After contesting the decision for two years, Divilbiss eventually agreed to relinquish her daughter, acknowledging that she was unable to adequately care for her child and that this, rather than her polyamory, had been the grandparents' real motivation in seeking custody.<ref name = "society">[http://www.polyamorysociety.org/Divilbiss_Families_Case_Ends.html Divilbiss Families Case Ends], Polyamory Society].</ref> The Tennessee case is not necessarily normative for the entirety of the United States, since family law varies significantly from state to state, and sometimes even within a state. US state law is, of course, not normative for laws of other countries. ==Geographical and cultural differences== Social views on polyamory vary by country and culture. For example, a 2003 article in ''The Guardian'' by Helena Echlin argues that "British people are if anything more tolerant than in America which is perhaps why British polys are less in need of support groups", and quotes a UK source as stating: "We have a tradition of people minding their own business here. People might disapprove, but they won't try to mess up your life. In America, they might call social services."<ref name = "Guardian Women">ECHLIN, Helena. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,3604,1085003,00.html Women], The Guardian, 2003.</ref> ==Philosophical aspects== As with many lifestyles, there is considerable active discussion about philosophical approaches to polyamory. In Echlin's article in ''The Guardian'', five reasons for choosing polyamory are identified: a drive towards female independence and equality driven by [[feminism]]; disillusionment with monogamy; a yearning for community; honesty and realism in respect of relational nature of human beings; human nature; and individual non-matching of the traditional monogamous stereotype. Jim Fleckenstein, director of the Institute for 21st-Century Relationships, is quoted as stating that the polyamory movement has been driven not only by science fiction, but also by feminism: "Increased financial independence means that women can build relationships the way they want to." The disillusionment with monogamy is said to be "because of widespread cheating and divorce". The longing for community is associated with a felt need for the richness of "complex and deep relationships through extended networks" in response to the replacement and fragmentation of the [[extended family]] by [[nuclear family|nuclear families]]. "For many," Echlin writes, "it is a hankering for community ...we have become increasingly alienated, partly because of the 20th century's replacement of the extended family with the nuclear family. As a result, many of us are striving to create complex and deep relationships through extended networks of multiple lovers and extended families". Others speak of creating an "honest responsible and socially acceptable" version of non-monogamy &mdash; "since so many people are already non-monogamous, why not develop a non-monogamy that is honest, responsible and socially acceptable? ...It seems weird that having affairs is OK but being upfront about it is rocking the boat." "Polys agree that some people are monogamous by nature. But some of us are not, and more and more are refusing to be shoehorned into monogamy."<ref name = "Guardian Women" /> A sixth reason, a couple's response to a failure of monogamy, by reaching a consensus to accept the additional relationship, is identified by other authors.<ref>Polyamory The New Love without Limits by Dr Deborah Anapol (ISBN 1-880789-08-6) has a chapter called "Making the transition to polyamorous relating", which deals with broken monogamous commitments from both perspectives.</ref> ==Research== Research into polyamory has been limited. A comprehensive government study of sexual attitudes, behaviors and relationships in [[Finland]] in 1992 (age 18-75, around 50% both genders) found that around 200 out of 2250 (8.9%) respondents "agreed or strongly agreed" with the statement ''"I could maintain several sexual relationships at the same time"'' and 8.2% indicated a "lifestyle that best suits" at the present stage of life would involve more than one steady partner. By contrast, when asked about other relationships at the same time as a steady relationship, around 17% stated they had had other partners whilst in a steady relationship (50% no, 17% yes, 33% refused to answer). [http://www.fsd.uta.fi/english/data/catalogue/FSD1243/cbF1243e.pdf] (PDF) ===Polyamory in a clinical setting=== There is little research at present into the specific needs and requirements for handling polyamory in a clinical context. A notable paper in this regard is ''Working with polyamorous clients in the clinical setting'' (Davidson, 2002),<ref>Paper delivered to the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Western Regional Conference, April 2002, and available online: Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, Volume 5, [[April 16]], [[2002]] [http://www.ejhs.org/volume5/polyoutline.html]</ref> which addresses the following areas of inquiry: # Why is it important that we talk about alternatives to monogamy now? # How can therapists prepare to work with people who are exploring polyamory? # What basic understandings about polyamory are needed? # What key issues do therapists need to watch for in the course of working with polyamorous clients? Its conclusions, summarized, were that "Sweeping changes are occurring in the sexual and relational landscape" (including 'dissatisfaction with limitations of serial monogamy, i.e. exchanging one partner for another in the hope of a better outcome') ... that clinicians need to start by "recognizing the array of possibilities that polyamory encompasses" and "examine the culturally based assumption that only monogamy is acceptable" and how this bias impacts on the practice of therapy ... the need for self-education about polyamory" ... basic understandings about the "rewards of the poly lifestyle" and the common social and relationship challenges faced by those involved ... and the "shadow side" of polyamory &ndash; the potential existing for coercion, strong emotions in opposition, and/or jealousy. The paper also states that the configurations a therapist would be "most likely to see in practice" are individuals involved in primary-plus arrangements, monogamous couples wishing to explore non-monogamy for the first time, and poly singles. ===The decision to explore polyamory=== Morin (1999) states that a couple has a very good chance of adjusting to nonexclusivity if at least some of the following conditions exist:<ref>Cited by Michael Shernoff, Family Process, Vol.45 No.4, 2006, in the context of same-sex relationships [http://www.familyprocess.org/Data/featured_articles/65_shernoff.pdf]</ref> :* Both partners want their relationship to remain primary. :* The couple has an established reservoir of good will. :* There is minimal lingering resentments from past hurts and betrayals. :* The partners are not polarized over monogamy/nonmonogamy. :* The partners are feeling similarly powerful and autonomous. Green & Mitchell (2002) state that direct discussion of the following issues can provide the basis for honest and important conversations:<ref>Cited by Michael Shernoff, Family Process, Vol.45 No.4, 2006, in the context of same-sex relationships [http://www.familyprocess.org/Data/featured_articles/65_shernoff.pdf]</ref> :* Openness versus secrecy :* Volition/equality versus coercion/inequality :* Clarity/specificity of agreements versus confusion/vagueness :* Honoring keeping agreements versus violating them :* How each partner views nonmonogamy. According to Michael Shernoff<ref>Family Process, Vol.45 No.4, 2006, in the context of same-sex relationships [http://www.familyprocess.org/Data/featured_articles/65_shernoff.pdf]</ref> if the matter is discussed with a third party, such as a therapist, the task of the therapist is to "engage couples in conversations that let them decide for themselves whether sexual exclusivity or nonexclusivity is functional or dysfunctional for the relationship." ==Criticisms== ===Religious objections=== Many religions discourage sex outside marriage (or, in some cases, a committed relationship closely resembling marriage). As a consequence, those religions effectively prohibit or permit polyamory to the same degree that they prohibit or permit polygamy. Even where polygamy is permitted, it is often limited to a rigidly-defined form of plural marriage — most commonly [[polygyny]]. At the beginning of the 21st century, polygyny remained common in some parts of the [[Islam]]ic world but was not recognized by most branches of Christianity and Judaism. There are many scriptural references in the [[Old Testament]] to polygyny, such as the story of King [[Solomon]], an important figure to all three major Abrahamic religions. Buddhism and Hinduism do not take a stance for or against, but are filled with many people who participate in it. For further discussion and some exceptions see [[Polygamy#Polygamy and religion|Polygamy and religion]]. While most religions offer guidance about sex and family, religious leaders have said relatively little about polyamory, possibly due to its low public profile compared to other relational/ethical issues such as [[homosexuality]]. ===Moral objections=== In a 2007 editorial by the [[China|Chinese]] newspaper the ''[[Shanghai Daily]]'', the moralistic argument was advanced that marriage, a vehicle for [[true love]], should engender the "obligation to give themselves totally and exclusively, to this one person" in order to have meaning, and in consequence of this, all extramarital activity was "worse than immoral. It's unashamed... Mutual conspiracy", and that the concept of mutual consent was "not worth refutation". Even if the partners were honest and supportive of each other, the writer stated that "marriage is considered the consecration of true love", and there was a spirit of marriage which had been betrayed. The editorial was in response to the case of a Chinese female ex-police officer who ran a swingers website, and discussed various forms of [[open marriage]]: <blockquote>"Then what about polyamory&mdash;a lifestyle of having more than one love/sex partner? If it is understood as an alternative to monogamous marriage, it is of the same ilk as swinging. It could be the case that sexual fun and passion are shared by more than two people. But true love and marriage require exclusive mutual fidelity in one couple."<ref>[http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/shdaily_opinion.asp?id=304120&type=Opinion Shanghai Daily].</ref></blockquote> ===Division of love=== In ''[[The Ethical Slut]]'', [[Dossie Easton]] and [[Janet Hardy]] (writing as 'Catherine Liszt') described an argument against polyamory to the effect that, when one's love is divided among multiple partners, the love is lessened. They referred to this as a "starvation economy" argument, because it treats love as a scarce commodity (like food or other resources) that can be given to one person only by taking it away from another. This is sometimes called a "[[Thomas Malthus|Malthusian]] argument", after Malthus' writings on finite resources. Many polyamorists, including Easton and Hardy, reject the idea that dividing love among multiple partners automatically lessens it. A commonly-invoked argument uses an analogy with a parent who has two children&mdash;the parent does not love either of them any less because of the existence of the other.<ref>{{cite journal| first = Derek | last = McCullough | coauthors = Hall, David S | url = http://www.ejhs.org/volume6/polyamory.htm | title = Polyamory: What it is and what it isn't | journal = Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality | volume = 6 |date= [[February 27]], [[2003]] | accessdate = 2006-07-10 | publisher = Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality}}</ref> Critics counter that even if love is not a finite resource, time and energy still are. Because of this, it is considered responsible for polyamorists to not simply acquire relationships arbitrarily. Another viewpoint is that the love from the third is just added to the total amount of the couple, and therefore, the amount of love is increased because all parties are providing it to all other parties.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} ===Perceived failure rates=== Polyamorous relationships are often criticised as "not lasting", for example, Stanley Kurtz takes this as axiomatic when he says "Not only would legally recognized polyamory be unstable..."<ref>{{cite web| first = Stanley | last = Kurtz | title = Polygamy Versus Democracy: You can't have both | url = http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=12266 | work = Weekly Standard |date= [[June 05]], [[2006]] | accessdate = 006-07-10}}</ref> The problem of [[confirmation bias]] makes it impossible to accurately gauge the stability of polyamorous relationships without carefully-conducted scientific investigation. The complex nature of polyamory presents difficulties in structuring such research. For instance, polyamorists may be reluctant to disclose their relationship status due to potential negative consequences, and researchers may be unfamiliar with the full range of polyamorous behaviours, leading to poorly-framed questions that give misleading results.<ref>{{cite web| first = Gregory M. | last = Herek | coauthors = | Douglas C. Kimmel, Hortensia Amaro, Gary B. Melton | title = Avoiding Heterosexual Bias in Psychological Research | publisher = American Psychological Association | url = http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/research.html |date= September 1991 | accessdate = 2006-08-15}}</ref> In general terms, nonexclusivity lowers the cost of entering into, and exiting, romantic relationships. More sexual relationships creates more competition for longer-term relationships. While some researchers may assume this would cause higher failure rates, the additional outlets and support may offset this to some degree. Researchers may also assume an inherently more complex structure is more prone to failure. {{Or|date=September 2007}} <!-- probably accurate and would benefit from citing, but right now, phrases such as "researchers may assume... but..." reads like OR. --> While predating the term polyamory, some research has been done on the stability of some forms of what might be considered polyamorous relationships in the Netherlands. Weitzman<ref>{{cite web| first = Geri D. | last = Weitzman | work = What Psychology Professionals Should Know About Polyamory | title = What is known about the psychological and social functioning of polyamorous individuals? | url = http://www.polyamory.org/~joe/polypaper.htm#WhatIsKnown |date= [[March 12]], [[1999]] | accessdate = 2006-07-10}}</ref> lists a study by Rubin and Adams in 1986 which found no differences in marital stability based on sexual exclusivity in married relationships. ==Notes and references== {{reflist|2}} ==See also== * [[Compersion]] * [[Free love]] * [[Limerence]] * [[List of polyamorists]] * [[Living Apart Together]] * [[Monamory]] * [[Nonmonogamy]] * [[Open marriage]] * [[Plaçage]] * [[Polytrothism]] * [[Safer sex]] * [[Serial monogamy]] * ''[[The Ethical Slut]]'' (book) == External links == <!-- Please visit [[Talk:Polyamory]] and discusss potential additions to this list there first before adding them here. --> {{commons|:Category:Polyamory|Polyamory}} {{wiktionary}} {{wikiquote}} ===Informational websites=== *[http://www.polyamory.org/ polyamory.org], the official homepage of the alt.polyamory newsgroup *[http://www.sexuality.org/polyamor.html Polyamory page] at Sexuality.org ===Polyamory-related media=== *[http://polyinthemedia.blogspot.com Polyamory in the News] website (a part of the [http://www.polyamoryonline.org Polyamory Online] website) *[http://www.lovemore.com Loving More] A quarterly polyamory magazine that also runs two national poly conferences on the East and West coasts of the USA. *[http://polyweekly.com/ Polyamory Weekly] a weekly podcast hosted by cunning minx, featuring Poly in the News and open frank discussion of the joys and pains of the poly-lifestyle in all of its flavors. ===Research and articles=== *[http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=506242 Monogamy's Law: Compulsory Monogamy and Polyamorous Existence], by [[Elizabeth F. Emens]], analyzes social and legal perspectives on polyamory. *[http://www.numenor.org/~gdw/psychologist/bipolycounseling.html Therapy with Clients Who Are Bisexual and Polyamorous], a paper by Geri Weitzman, PhD *[https://culsnet.law.capital.edu/LawReview/BackIssues/31-3/Strassberg14.pdf The Challenge Of Post-Modern Polygamy: Considering Polyamory] Research analyzing monogamy, polygamy, polyfidelity and polyparenting and considers how polyfidelitous marriage might fit into Western culture within a Hegelian framework. *[ftp://ftp.uu.net/usenet/control/alt/alt.polyamory.Z newgroup control message] creating alt.polyamory, [[May 29]], [[1992]], as archived at ftp.uu.net (primary source for the [[Usenet]] control message archive) *[http://www.sptimes.com/2007/02/18/Floridian/A_love_triangle_Try_a.shtml A love triangle? Try a hexagon] - St. Petersburg Times news article ([[February 18]], [[2007]]) by Leonora LaPeter. *[http://www.orlandoweekly.com/features/story.asp?id=11652 Love Me Two (Or More) Times] - Orlando Weekly article by Deanna Sheffield * [http://www.ncsfreedom.org/library/polysoundbites.htm National Coalition for Sexual Freedom Polyamory Sound Bites] Includes some data on frequency of nonmonogamy and psychiatric health of the polyamorous. * The [http://www.ejhs.org Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality], published by the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco, California, has produced several articles examining aspects of polyamory. To date these include: :# [http://www.ejhs.org/volume5/polyoutline.html Working with polyamorous clients in the clinical setting] - Davidson (Volume 5, [[April 16]], [[2002]], also delivered to the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Western Regional Conference, April 2002) :# [http://www.ejhs.org/volume6/polyamory.htm Polyamory - What it is and what it isn't] - McCullough and Hall (Volume 6, [[February 27]], [[2003]]) :# [http://www.ejhs.org/volume8/cook1.htm Commitment in polyamory] - Cook (Volume 8, [[December 12]], [[2005]]) ===Advocacy and awareness=== * [http://www.uupa.org Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness] *[http://www.polyamory.org/~joe/polypaper.htm What Psychology Professionals Should Know About Polyamory] A guide for mental health professionals which is favorable to polyamory. *[http://www.polychromatic.com/pfp/ Poly-Friendly Professionals] mental health and other professionals tolerant of or supportive of polyamory {{Sexuality and gender subcultures}} {{Sexual Identities}} [[Category:Sexual fidelity]] [[Category:Sexuality and society]] [[Category:Intimate relationships]] [[Category:Polyamory| ]] <!-- The below are interlanguage links. --> [[cs:Polyamoríe]] [[da:Polyamory]] [[de:Polyamory]] [[es:Poliamor]] [[eo:Pluramemo]] [[fa:فرا‌تک‌مهری]] [[fr:Polyamour]] [[it:Poliamore]] [[he:פוליאמוריה]] [[nl:Polyamorie]] [[ja:ポリアモリー]] [[no:Polyamori]] [[pl:Poliamoria]] [[pt:Poliamor]] [[ro:Poliamor]] [[ru:Полиамория]] [[sk:Polyamoria]] [[fi:Polyamoria]] [[sv:Polyamori]] [[tr:Poliamori]]