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When it comes to “alternative” lifestyles, the concept of polyamory has gained a lot of traction in recent years among those who’ve determined that traditional monogamy isn’t for them. Statistically, four-to-five percent of Americans currently confirm that they’re in polygamous relationships. It’s not as simple as just deciding to be polygamous, though. In fact, it can be downright complicated when you consider that there are ten different forms of polygamy to choose from.
- Hierarchical Polygamy – Paul lives with his wife (the prioritize each other), and they each have a different lover they see once a week
- Non-Hierarchical Polygamy – Paul has had a “consistent two partners for a while,” but he “just hit it off with a new partner” and has “shifted his schedule to make more time for them” (“every partner is considered when making big decisions”)
- Kitchen Table Polygamy – Paul, his wife, and their two lovers get together for dinner on occasion (they want to be friends, and may even have independent relationships, with them)
- Parallel Polyamory – Paul has a wife, and a girlfriend, but the wife and girlfriend have never met…though they are aware of one another
- Garden Party Polyamory – Paul has a birthday party coming up, and both the wife and girlfriend will be in attendance…they can be social, but don’t feel the need to make it anything more than that (kind of like when you only see your cousins at a funeral or family reunion)
- Throuple – Paul has a wife, and there’s another love that shares the living space with both of them (all three are dating each other, sharing expenses, etc)
- Polyfidelity – Paul’s wife and their lover are exclusive to each other in their own private triangle
- V Polyamory – Paul would be the bottom point of the “V,” with his wife and lover on the upper points…those two aren’t together, but the very well might be friends
- Solo Polyamory – Paul has multiple partners, and “loves and values” each of them, but also lives alone because he’s focused on his career primarily
- Single Polyamory – Paul is single at the moment, but is aware that his “preferred relationship dynamics” is polyamorous in nature
- Relationship Anarchy – Essentially, this is a hearty “f… you” to any form of relationship structure…Paul has multiple “partners, friends, and lovers”…and he loves and values each of them…but doesn’t “treat one relationship more seriously just because they’re romantically/sexually involved”
Good luck sorting all of that out!
Check out the full article at Men’s Health