OPEN RELATIONSHIPS EXPLAINED: Nonmonogamy, Polyamory, Swingers, + What It All Means

We discuss the recent media meltdown after shocking sexual revelations by beloved Hollywood sweethearts Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith.

We share bits of a conversation Nico Tortorella & Bethany Meyer shared on the show Red Table Talk about Ethical Nonmonogamy (ENM).

We do a deep dive into the diverse world of alternative relationships to demystify and clarify our preconceptions.

We do an overview of the most common alternative relationship structures, what defines them, how they work, and what their benefits might be.

We disclose the eye-opening results of multiple scientific studies which reveal the impacts these types of relationships can have on our lives.

And we play with POLYCULES!

 

Some online resources we discussed in the show:

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/compersion

 

https://www.askmen.com/dating/dating_advice/what-is-compersion-and-how-to-foster-it-in-your-relationship.html

 

https://level.medium.com/will-and-jada-pinkett-smith-taught-me-relationships-arent-one-size-fits-all-e286effb48f8

 

https://shrimpteeth.org/structures/

 

RELATIONSHIP BENEFITS OF ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURES?

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0265407514529065

For instance, in qualitative studies, the majority of individuals engaged in CNM reported that their marriage improved https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0265407514529065

and that they felt increased warmth, closeness, and love toward their partner as a result of their CNM lifestyle 
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0265407514529065#

Moreover, individuals engaged in CNM reported less jealousy than those not engaged in CNM 
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0265407514529065#
and often described feeling positive about their partner’s relationship(s) with others https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0265407514529065#

(THAT’S  COMPERSION)

 

Qualities such as deep commitment, a high level of satisfaction and trust, heightened intimacy, with a low level of jealousy. Which is particularly fascinating, because those in a secure relationship are less likely to cheat and also enjoy sex with their partner more

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0265407514529065#

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-polyamorists-next-door/201407/7-different-kinds-non-monogamy

Studies by Rubin and colleagues and Levine and colleagues both found that 4 to 5 percent of the population of the United States was currently involved in a CNM relationship, and Fairbrother and colleagues found the same ratio for Canadians. And keep in mind that more people try CNM at some point in their lives than are currently in a CNM relationship at any given time.

https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1133&context=psychology_articles

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10508-018-1178-7

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2019.1580667