In simple terms. polyamory is a situation where you're in an intimate relationship with more than one person at a time. Take for instance, you're dating Dammy, Helen and say Halimah all at once but with the consent of each and everyone involved and is quite different from what you may call 'double-dating' (or multiple dating as the case may be).
In the present day world, polyamory is beginning to gain ground and is spreading rapidly in regions across the globe. Therefore, it becomes necessary to examine the phenomenon and weigh the prospects in relation to the challenges.
While a polyamorous relationship can be symmetrical (like a triangle), or something more complex, it may also be open or closed, straight or gay, or a mixture. There are as many definitions of Polyamory as there are people practicing it but polyamorous relationship must have as a basic more than 2 people in the relationship. Not all participants need be involved with every other participant, nor is co-housing a requirement.
Polyamory is different from cheating in the sense
that what defines a polyamorous relationship is that everyone involved knows
about, and agrees to, everyone else’s involvement. Therefore, if you are married,
and you have a girlfriend that your wife doesn’t know about, or that your wife
suspects but isn’t sure about, or that your wife knows about but isn’t happy
with, you’re not poly, you’re cheating.
Similarly, if you’re banging the milkman while your
husband is out of town, you’re not poly, you’re cheating. Polyamory is defined
by informed consent of all the participants. Without it, it isn’t poly. If you
can’t invite your lover over to dinner with the rest of your family because you
don’t want anyone to know what you’re doing, you ain’t poly.
Among other benefits, a polyamorous relationship helps you expand exactly how you relate to other people intimately, lessens pressure from your partner for sex or vice versa; if you're not in the mood, you can easily send your partner to the other extension of the relationship. Easy!
On the long run, polyamory helps you improve on your individuality even while amidst others in the sense that through the 'eyes' of the others, you learn and find out more about yourself.
As with all forms of relationship in life, there are challenges which make polyamory not feasible to everyone. Complexity is one of them. Romantic relationships can be highly emotional, and that intensity can be multiplied by the number of people involved. Trying to juggle multiple partners' needs can be especially challenging when those needs conflict, and figuring out whose needs to prioritize can be painful for everyone.
Another thing that will destroy a polyamorous relationship is consent negotiated under duress. If the monogamous person has agreed to polyamory under duress, then disaster will most likely eventually ensue. Duress can take a range of forms – financial, emotional, physical, explicit, implied, or even unconscious. Agreements made under duress are not truly consensual because they come with some kind of threat to enforce the desired outcome; if “no” is not an acceptable answer then “yes” is not a real choice.
Though practically, this form of relationship isn't common in this part of the world, I have a feeling it wont be long before we start noticing it around. Afterall, who dey catch trend pass us?. LOL.
Don't forget to visit the comment section and lets exchange views on this topic.
Till next time I bring another interesting and yet edutaining topic............It's Taophieyc!!!
Notable links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamory
https://www.morethantwo.com/polyamory.html
http://love.allwomenstalk.com/unique-benefits-of-a-polyamorous-relationship
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-polyamorists-next-door/201509/five-disadvantages-polyamory
*cough* Grabs front row seat with my pop corn
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