Does marriage work? Does monogamy work? I guess that depends pretty much on who you are, and what your thoughts and feeling are about that particular subject. I think the majority of us would like it to work, but as the statistics prove, it doesn't always work. Two in five marriages here in the UK end in divorce. Infidelity is the cause of around a third of all marriage break-ups. Things aren't looking good for monogamy. Afterall we are a different society to the one our grandparents grew up in. There is more on offer to us, and many people want to take advantage of that. Relationships, families, and other things are not peoples number one priority anymore, so maybe it is time to open our minds, and look for a modern alternative to monogamy.
Well maybe the answer we are looking for is, polyamory. This is a relationship, just like any other, based on love, trust, and everything else, except it involves more than one person. It isn't pologamy, which is when you are married to more than one person. It isn't an affair, because all parties are aware of the situation, and they are all happy to be in that situation. It isn't swinging either, as that is about recreational sex, and polyamory is a way of actually structuring a relationship. If you look into polyamory there isn't really a way of defining what it is. It is what you decide between yourselves, and what feels right. People who enter into these relationships refuse to let society dictate to them what the right way to be with someone is. They are open and honest with each other and that is good enough for them.
When you are in a relationship like that, I would imagine that jealousy is a big issue. I mean in monogamous relationships it's an issue, so imagine what it's like when you know your beloved is bed hopping? This also raises another point, is it possible to love two people? Can you do that? Some would argue; especially those that practice polyamory, that love is an infinite thing. It isn't something that you can limit. So why shouldn't you spread the love, who are any of us to say who you can love? Or how many people you can love?
Some people are not able to be with just one person. They just don't have it in them. So wouldn't this kind of relationship suit them? Where they can be honest about not wanting to be with just the one person, and building a relationship with a few people. Maybe polyamory is an alternative to people who don't want the modern day constraints on a relationship that we all accept. Maybe it will stop so many people getting divorced, and cheating. Maybe. I'm an old fashioned girl though. I am not sure I would be able to keep one person happy, nevermind two or more. I think that I will stick to monogamy. Treat others how you would like to be treated yourself, and I really wouldn't like to share. So why should I expect anyone else too? Love, and relationships are what you make them, if you are happy in that situation, more power to you. It isn't for me though 