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Many people desire to find a <\/span>lifelong partner<\/span><\/a> with whom they will share a home and future. In most cases, this desire involves finding one partner and remaining emotionally and sexually exclusive with them through the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n While this may be the norm, the reality is that not everyone is interested in an entirely monogamous relationship. Ethical non-monogamy has emerged as an alternative to traditional monogamous relationships. <\/span><\/p>\n Ethical non-monogamy describes the practice in which people step outside of their primary relationship for sex or romance. Still, instead of this behavior occurring in the form of lying or cheating, it occurs with consent from the primary partner.<\/span><\/p>\n It is sometimes referred to as consensual non-monogamy. All of those involved in the relationship (or relationships) are aware of the non-monogamous relationship, and they may even embrace it.<\/span><\/p>\n Being in a relationship<\/span><\/a> with more than one person may not be the rule, but growing in popularity does seem to be growing.<\/span><\/p>\n A recent <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> with college students found that while 78.7 percent were unwilling to participate in an ethically non-monogamous relationship, 12.9 percent were willing to do so, and 8.4 percent were open to the idea.<\/span><\/p>\n A larger proportion of men than women were willing to be in an ENM relationship, and those who endorsed this type of relationship tended to reject monogamy as the norm.<\/span><\/p>\n For those who are willing to engage in an ENM relationship, or at least open to the idea, it is important to understand that there are various types of non-monogamy.<\/span><\/p>\n For instance, there are both hierarchical and non-hierarchical ENM relationships and standard ethical non-monogamy vs. polyamory relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, some people may differentiate between simple ethical non-monogamy vs. an open relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n Ethical non-monogamy is generally an umbrella term encompassing all forms of having more than one sexual or romantic partner. The difference with ethical non-monogamy vs. polyamory is that polyamory involves being openly involved in <\/span>multiple relationships <\/span><\/a>at once.<\/span><\/p>\n For example, someone may be married to multiple people or dating multiple people at once, and everyone involved is aware of the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n That being said, not everyone who practices ENM is open to having more than one partner with whom they are in a romantic relationship. For instance, some people engage in a more casual form of ENM, in which they simply step outside the relationship for sex with others from time to time.<\/span><\/p>\n This may be in the form of “swinging.” The couple swaps partners with another couple, or <\/span>cuckolding<\/span><\/a>, where one partner has sex with someone else while the other watches.<\/span><\/p>\n A couple may also have “threesomes” in which they bring in a third person to join their sexual encounters, whether frequently or only every so often.<\/span><\/p>\n An open relationship describes a situation in which people in a relationship are open to sexual or romantic relationships with others. Open relationships typically describe those in which partners are currently open to having sex with others.<\/span><\/p>\n The difference with a polyamorous vs. open relationship is that polyamory usually involves a romantic connection to multiple partners.<\/span><\/p>\n Polyamory and open relationships can also be characterized by hierarchy. For instance, in a hierarchical consensual non-monogamous relationship, two people are each other’s “primary partner,” whereas the couple may have “secondary partners” outside the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n For example, two people may be married and in a <\/span>long-term relationship<\/span><\/a> that they prioritize while also having a boyfriend or girlfriend, who is the secondary partner.<\/span><\/p>\n If you are unsure whether or not polyamory is for you, watch this video.<\/b><\/span>What is ethical non-monogamy?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Related Reading: <\/i><\/b>Monogamous Relationship - Meaning and Dynamics<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
<\/span>Types of ethically non-monogamous relationships<\/span><\/h2>\n
Ethical non-monogamy vs polyamory<\/b><\/h3>\n
Related Reading: <\/i><\/b>Polyamorous Relationship Characteristics and Types<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
Ethical non-monogamy vs. open relationship<\/b><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nRelated Reading: <\/i><\/b>What is an Open Relationship? Is It the Right Thing for You?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n