Non-Monogamous Intimacy

The failure of developing intimacy can involve difficulty attaining and maintaining intimate relationships, along with a fear of disruptions in these types of relationships. A fear of intimacy is related to discomfort with emotional closeness and lack of satisfaction relationships. There is increased anxiety and loneliness with a fear of intimacy.

Researchers divide intimacy into four different forms. There is physical intimacy, which can involve being inside another’s personal space and sexual activity. Emotional intimacy involves trust and “falling in love”. Cognitive intimacy is the interpersonal exchange of thoughts, while spiritual intimacy involves bonding over one’s spiritual beliefs.

NON-MONOGAMOUS INTIMACY

While most people have physical intimacy with a single person, the phenomenon of polyamory involves the desire for or practice of having intimate relationships with more than one person, with the total consent of all partners. It is also referred to as responsible non-monogamy. These are open relationships that together manage things like rivalry and jealousy. It is a particular life philosophy similar to gender identity and sexual orientation.

People who practice polyamory believe in loyalty and fidelity in the group settings rather than with a single person. Communication and negotiation are important with the acceptance that there will be issues in these types of relationship. Members of a polyamorous group have mutual respect for one another, dignity, trust, and honesty. There is an emphasis placed on not being possessive of any one person. One phenomenon is called compersion, which is being empathetic when another member feels joy and happiness. It is considered the opposite of jealousy.

The prevalence of polyamory is unknown but European research indicates that 9 percent of people agree that they could have several sexual relationships at a time. Many people in these relationships keep their behavior private in settings where it is not considered socially acceptable. This type of relationship is not accepted by most Christian religions nor is it accepted by mainstream Judaism. People who practice

satanism are somewhat more forgiving of these types of relationships. Unitarian Universalists involve a greater tolerance for polyamory.

Polyamory is just one aspect of an open intimate relationship. Open relationships largely involve sexual non-monogamy but not necessarily emotional non-monogamy. There are different types of open relationships besides polyamory, including multipartner relationships, hybrid relationships, and swinging.

Swinging involves couples in committed relationships who engage in recreational sex with other couples. Usually the sexual relationship is casual and can involve group sex. Open marriages involve an intimate couple who both believe the other can have another sexual relationship. In a hybrid relationship, one person is monogamous, while the other is non-monogamous. Polygamy is being married to more than one person at a time.