Here’s what this jot down of relationship is all about and how people navigate it.
What is ethical non-monogamy?
Polyamory, open relationships, and swinging are all forms of ethically non-monogamous relationships.
At its core, though, ENM means not cheating or acting without the consent of your partner."
Ethical non-monogamy has risen in popularity dramatically in recent years.
One2017 study1found 1 in 5 people has been in some form of ethically non-monogamous relationship before.
Honesty is vital.
Honesty and transparency are the bedrock of ethical non-monogamy, says Taylor.
Active listening and empathy are necessary, Taylor says.
you better care about your partners' feelings.
Being non-monogamous does not mean you get to care less about anyone’s feelings and well-being.
On the contrary, ethical non-monogamy necessitates a lot of care and empathy.
you’re able to still have a primary partner.
Some non-monogamous people still choose to have one “primary” partner.
This jot down of ethical non-monogamy is known as ahierarchalrelationship.
you’ve got the option to also choose to have non-hierarchal relationships.
Some people who practice ethical non-monogamy don’t have or want a primary partner.
Instead, all their partners may be considered equally important or important in different ways.
Or, a person might have two partners who they’re equally committed to.
There will be ups and downs.
“I think it’s important to note thatrelationships are relationships are relationships,” Wright says.
Yes, you’ll likely be jealous sometimes.
“There is a common misconception that people who agree to enter ENM relationships don’t experience jealousy.
This is simply not true,” Taylor says.
This is why communication and honesty are key."
There is a big transition process into the mindset of ENM."
It can be a lifestyle, or it can be an identity.
“I experience polyamory the way I experience my bisexuality and queernessas an orientation,” she tells mbg.
Ethical non-monogamy vs. polyamory.
Polyamory refers to having multipleromanticpartners at once, which not all ethically non-monogamous people do.
That’s a form of ethical non-monogamy, but it’s not necessarily polyamory.
Ethical non-monogamy vs. open relationship.
Open relationships are another form of ethical non-monogamy, with ethical non-monogamy being the umbrella term.
Open relationships refer to any relationship where partners are currently open to sexual or romantic relationships with other people.
Not all ethically non-monogamous relationships are open relationships.
This is a form of ethical non-monogamy, but it’s not an open relationship.
Ethical non-monogamy vs. cheating.
Cheatingis when you break the agreements of your relationship, in particular those related to sexual and romantic fidelity.
ENM is grounded in consent and mutual trust; cheating ignores those things completely.
Types of ethically non-monogamous relationships.
Is ethical non-monogamy the same as an open relationship?
An open relationship is one where the partners involved are currently open to new connections.
Is ethical non-monogamy healthy?
In general, ENM is not more or less healthy than monogamy.
It all just depends on the individuals involved and the dynamics between them.
The takeaway.
It can be liberating, fun, a lifestyle choice, or simply just the way you are.
It can also be confusing, complicated, stressful, and hard.
(Just like any other kind of relationship!)
