Open Relationships

[Wheatley]

Hey,

So this is my first post anywhere but the puberty sections (call it maturity if you like XD)

I'm studying psychology at A Level and the topic we are covering is Relationships. With much focus on the biological viewpoint, it seems that everything points towards monogamous relationships being bad for Males.

I find this very interesting since I've never been in a relationship, though I always imagined an open relationship type group thing as being the way forward. On the foundations that everyone knows and likes eachother.

From various sources (friends, TV, etc.) "Normal" relationships never seem to work, there's always that friend who you thought you could trust who the girlfriend cheats with. But surely a group of people with the same interests would be better? There'd be no sexual awkwardness and nothing "out of bounds", it would effectively be like having multiple partners at the same time within a closely knitted group.

Outside of anything sexual, you'd also have the emotional support from many people instead of just one person and there'd be no jealousy. If kids were to come along you'd also have more people to help personally in their upbringing. Not to mention the benefits of living together (split costs etc...)

What are your views? Could you ever see yourself living in a group relationship as opposed to 1-2-1?

[tovaris]

You are right we humans, all humans, are not designet for monogomie from a reproductive stand point. And from the emotional side we are pack animals who are better of with the suport of a grup.

[LouBerry]

I see nothing wrong with open relationships all long as no one is being cheated. If all parties know and understand what is going on, I think it's fine.

However, no, I would never do it. I couldn't. It's impractical, especially if children get involved. Plus, I'm against that sort of thing on a religious stand point. But really, I just want one person. Seth means the world to me, and vice versa. We both think of marriage as very sacred, and it's not something we'd fool around with.

[Gigablue]

As long as everyone involved knows what they can expect and gives consent, I see no issue. I really don't care what goes on between consenting adults.

[darthearth]

I support open relationships. I want one actually. I agree with the OP on everything. My liberal Christianity is also supportive of it. Convenient isn't it? Am I rewriting rules? Maybe, it's a living and growing faith. :cool:

[conniption]

Sure, open relationships are completely fine. However, I would never able be in an open relationship. Relationships are already unstable machines that I'm pretty hesitant to be part of, and adding a whole bunch of other people into the mix would simply not work out.

[CosmicNoodle]

I think is actually a good idea, but not for me. However if a group of people want that then good for them, hope there happy.

[TheBigUnit]

I just feel open relationships are an excuse to cheat on your partner, unless we're heading towards polygammy in the future, cuz monogamny is so old world

[sqishy]

Hey,

So this is my first post anywhere but the puberty sections (call it maturity if you like XD)

I'm studying psychology at A Level and the topic we are covering is Relationships. With much focus on the biological viewpoint, it seems that everything points towards monogamous relationships being bad for Males.

I find this very interesting since I've never been in a relationship, though I always imagined an open relationship type group thing as being the way forward. On the foundations that everyone knows and likes eachother.

From various sources (friends, TV, etc.) "Normal" relationships never seem to work, there's always that friend who you thought you could trust who the girlfriend cheats with. But surely a group of people with the same interests would be better? There'd be no sexual awkwardness and nothing "out of bounds", it would effectively be like having multiple partners at the same time within a closely knitted group.

Outside of anything sexual, you'd also have the emotional support from many people instead of just one person and there'd be no jealousy. If kids were to come along you'd also have more people to help personally in their upbringing. Not to mention the benefits of living together (split costs etc...)

What are your views? Could you ever see yourself living in a group relationship as opposed to 1-2-1?


This is why I don't see polygamy as something inherently bad. If all members of this multi-relationship are fine with it, then by all means go with it. Polygamy in that situation is not wrong at all.

[Camazotz]

Polygamy hardly ever works. People eventually want a companion, something more than just sex. Communities become complicated when you involve polygamous relationships. It's okay if people consent to it, but I don't see that kind of relationship being healthy or stable.

[Wheatley]

I'm glad this has actually been taken seriously.

I would just class a whore as a sex addict who will have it with anyone just because they feel like it.

While its true that these may struggle in modern society, I think we are much more open to change than we used to be. Someone said about communities not working out, I only meant say 3-5 people instead of 2 people, if they all love eachother and have a desire to stay close then it would work but you'd need that agreement in the first place.

I would like to be in one of these but its finding the right people of course XD things should get interesting next year when I go to uni (hopefully)

[Blood]

Open relationships can and have worked. Ultimately, whether it will be successful or not depends on the individuals involved. You can pull out statistics, charts, examples and such, but in the end it's going to come down to how bad they want to make those relationships work, and if they're willing to put in the time and effort needed to do so.

[Jess]

As long as everyone involved knows what they can expect and gives consent, I see no issue. I really don't care what goes on between consenting adults.

Basically this. I don't really care what's happening between consenting adults

[Quick_Sylver]

Open relationships can and do work - provided all individuals involved are conscious and aware of things.

I've had a 3 year long relationship LDR with my current boyfriend, as well as had external relationships from him. I've told him about them and my former partners about him too. It has to be an honest, true thing. Not all relationships are purely about sex for open relationships either. It's based around individuals needs in the relationship, and what the want from each other.

There has to be a lot of communication and stability in a relationship to work. Spontaneity is a little less of a factor which I prefer. It's hard sometimes, but it's easier others. Jealousy can be a problem and is best solved by sharing attention as equally as possible/is fair.

If you can't be open with all partners, you should not be in an open relationship. It's a hard line to walk, being open without bragging. So. Be safe, be sane, be consensual.

[britishboy]

It's wrong, simple.

[Andriod09]

Personally, I'm all for the IDEA of an open relationship. I -personally - can't be in an open relationship, its just not me. Its just how I was raised, and such.

[Dark Unicorn]

It's wrong, simple.

Not only that but it never works.Someone WILL get jealous.You are almost always going to like one person more than the others.Jealousy will arise when two of you like that one person more.You can get emotional support just fine from just friends.And don't get me started on STIs.Everyone knows having multiple sex partners increases ones risks of contracting and spreading STIs.And it complicates things.Imagine the children of these parents in open relationships.Wouldn't it just confuse them that their parents see other people in a group?I know I would be confused.It just doesn't seem healthy.But,as with everything else on this earth,ultimately it comes down to preference and choice.I don't support it but everyone is allowed to do what they feel.

[Jess]

It's wrong, simple.

Wow great reasoning :rolleyes: Care to explain why? Why do you care if someone is in an open relationship, if it's consensual? It's just like with same-sex relationships. It's none of your ('you' in general) business.

[Jalinta]

I think it's certainly an interesting idea, and I can see where it comes from. It does make sense to me about human beings not really being naturally monogamous etc. and just from a personal standpoint, I think being 'tied together' with one person for your whole life would be almost a little bit suffocating. I don't know.. But yeah, I think it's a really interesting idea, however I do think that there would always be jealousy and it would perhaps get a bt complicated with kids.

[Nomad_X]

Hey,

So this is my first post anywhere but the puberty sections (call it maturity if you like XD)

I'm studying psychology at A Level and the topic we are covering is Relationships. With much focus on the biological viewpoint, it seems that everything points towards monogamous relationships being bad for Males.

I find this very interesting since I've never been in a relationship, though I always imagined an open relationship type group thing as being the way forward. On the foundations that everyone knows and likes eachother.

From various sources (friends, TV, etc.) "Normal" relationships never seem to work, there's always that friend who you thought you could trust who the girlfriend cheats with. But surely a group of people with the same interests would be better? There'd be no sexual awkwardness and nothing "out of bounds", it would effectively be like having multiple partners at the same time within a closely knitted group.

Outside of anything sexual, you'd also have the emotional support from many people instead of just one person and there'd be no jealousy. If kids were to come along you'd also have more people to help personally in their upbringing. Not to mention the benefits of living together (split costs etc...)

What are your views? Could you ever see yourself living in a group relationship as opposed to 1-2-1?



Your idea here seems to be that people in open relationships are continually aving sex with difernt people on a regular basis. even a group of friends sleeping with each other in this kind of arrangement.

People who I have known in this kind of relationship are mainly sleeping with thier partners with the occassional side sexual partner for each half.


I just don't see your idea of an open relationship working.:confused: