Polyamory is the practice of, or desire for, intimate relationships with multiple partners with the consent of all involved. People who identify as polyamorous may engage in open relationships and reject the idea that exclusivity is necessary for meaningful, sustainable relationships. Variants of the term polyamory have existed since the s.
They have traditionally resonated with critics of compulsory monogamy by then-counter-cultural groups such as leftist, feminist, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activism groups. In practice, polyamory sustains a near-infinite variety of open relationships or multi-partner arrangements, which differ in definition according to grades of intensity, closeness, and commitment Klesse, Polyamory, on an ethical level, has supported a set of interrelated values such as honesty, self-knowledge, self-possession, integrity, and the valuing of sex and love over jealousy Klesse, These values are implicit in several theories around polyamory.
Polyamory does not involve infidelity or adultery; rather, it is a consensual relationship disclosed to everyone involved. Polyamory can be hierarchical β with one relationship taking priority over the others β or equal. In a hierarchical polyamorous relationship, someone may have primary as well as secondary partners. People in polyamorous relationships may or may not be married; however, polyamory as a social phenomenon is not synonymous with polygamy or bigamy.
Whereas polygamy and bigamy are illegal in the EU, the United States, and most of Oceania, polyamory is not. Polyamory is neither a sex addiction nor is sex addiction a defining characteristic of polyamory.
Meanwhile, polyamory focuses on building emotionally engaged, supportive relationships with multiple people simultaneously. Meanwhile, open relationships tend to focus on one core romantic relationship but multiple sexual partners. Polyamorous relationships, rather than being centered around one couple, consist of an interwoven network of sexual and romantic partners. Polyamory involves having multiple relationships simultaneously, with each partner having knowledge and consent.
