Do you know the 7 types of non-monogamy?

Who said that relationships are only built between two people? In recent times, thanks to the liberation of traditional social roles, many people have discovered that monogamy is not the only option. Thus, terms such as “relational orientation” have emerged. It refers to the fact that, just as all people are attracted to a sex (or sexes), we also have a preference about the type of relationship we like the most.

If you are a person who is discovering your relational orientation, in this article you will find some ideas that will make you discover the 7 types of non-monogamy that exist. Study them, and find out if any of them seem right for you.

The 7 types of non-monogamy

Surely you have had monogamous relationships at some point. Think about them for a moment, reflect on how you have felt (or feel) within these relationships. Maybe when you think about your monogamous experience, you feel like something is wrong or that it doesn’t quite fit you. Maybe it’s time to consider and rethink the way you live your loves.

Below you will see the main 7 types of non-monogamy that exist. Of course, There are many more ways to have an open relationship.. However, most people who practice non-monogamy do so in one of these ways.

Swinger

A swinger relationship is one in which there is one main partner, in the style of monogamy. However, the two members exchange partners with other people.

The main difference of swinger relationships with the other 7 types of non-monogamy is that here, Relationship members can only have sex with someone new if your partner is in front.

Couple liberal

They are usually defined as people who feel a very high sexual desire and have many sexual fantasies. In general, people who define themselves as “liberal” They do not have set rules regarding how and when they can have sex with others. On the contrary, they talk about their feelings with their partner as they arise.

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This type of relationships They can involve many different ways of living as a couple.. For example, some people who practice liberal relationships participate in group sex or partner swapping. Others, on the other hand, are only open to casual encounters if they arise spontaneously.

Non-sexual exclusivity or polysex

Some people want to have sexual relations with different partners. However, instead of deceiving others, they want to do it in a consensual manner and communicating to everyone their intentions and actions. In this case, we would talk about polysex or sexual non-exclusivity.

The main characteristic is that the relationships formed by those who like this category tend to be casual. In general, polysexuals consider that They can’t love more than one person at a time..

Polyamory

Polyamory is distinguished from polysex in the sense that those who practice it seek to have several real partners. Thus, those who choose polyamory as their way of relating They consider themselves capable of falling in love with more than one person.

To achieve good relationships of this type, its defenders talk about the importance of maintain good communication and express emotions. Thus, all members of the multiple relationship would have their emotional needs covered.

Hierarchical polyamory

Hierarchical polyamory is a type of non-monogamous relationship in which there are several stable partners, but some of them are more important than the rest. Thus, we usually talk about primary couples, secondary couples, and even tertiary couples.

Non-hierarchical polyamory

For other people, however, Talking about a hierarchy goes against the very idea of polyamory.. Thus, defenders of the non-hierarchical version consider that they can love all their partners equally. This would imply that no one would have any type of privilege over the other members of the multiple relationship.

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Relational anarchy

Finally, Some people prefer to enjoy their relationships without putting any labels on them.. Practitioners of relational anarchy believe that rules within a relationship only serve to cloud the emotional bond.

Are any of these models right for you?

Human beings have the ability to think, question, discuss, and compare; in addition to many other mental faculties that allow us to develop as people. However, We rarely use them to choose the type of relationship that best suits us..

Thus, It is important to use our mental capacity to ask ourselves how we would like to live our relationships. So, if you think non-monogamy might be for you, ask yourself the following questions:

How do you feel about the monogamous relationships you have had? Does it bother you to think that you will only have an emotional-sexual relationship with a single person?Do you think it is not “natural” to love and relate exclusively to one partner?Do you feel or have you felt sexual and emotional attraction towards other people while in a relationship? Do you think you are missing something in a monogamous relationship? Have you asked your monogamous partner for “some time” because you felt overwhelmed?Have you been unfaithful on more than one occasion? How did you feel?Do you identify with people who talk about any of the 7 types of non-monogamy? Have you left monogamous relationships and started new ones shortly after (called “serial monogamy”)? How would you feel if you could have various relationships and share experiences and knowledge with several people?Are you relieved to think that you can be with more than one partner at a time?

Some necessary clarifications about non-monogamy

As happens in many aspects of life, the society in which we live generates some beliefs about different realities. Because Western culture is built on monogamy, in many people’s heads There may still be some misconceptions about relationships not based on it.

Below are some clarifications necessary to understand some implications of non-monogamy:

According to many researches, Human beings are not monogamous by nature.People who do not choose monogamy are not more dissatisfied, more neurotic, more promiscuous, or more dysfunctional than monogamous people. Non-monogamy is not a way to avoid commitment. Having open relationships does not mean that you are confused or indecisive.Open relationships don’t just happen between young or inexperienced people.

The different types of non-monogamous relationships, compared to the more traditional ones, imply more flexible negotiation. This way, there are more possibilities within themdepending on the interpretation and suggestions of those who practice it.

Open your mind to the existence of these 7 types of non-monogamy can help you find the relationship model that works best for you.