Consensual non-monogamy

Multiple sexual relationships with mutual consent outside a single marriage

Part of a series on

Non-monogamy
and polyamory

Relationships

* Casual dating
* Ethical non-monogamy
* Group marriage
* Ménage à trois
* Open relationship
* Marriage

Sexual practices

* Casual sex
* Cuckold / Cuckquean
* Troilism
* Extramarital sex
* Gang bang
* Group sex
* Orgy
* Swinging
* Threesome
* Unicorn hunting

Terms and values

* Ambiamory
* Hookup culture
* New relationship energy
* Primary and secondary
* Polyfidelity
* Relationship anarchy

Related topics

* Free love
* Free union
* Polygamy
* Sologamy

* v
* t
* e

It has been suggested that this article be merged with Non-monogamy. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2024.

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Consensual non-monogamy (CNM), also known as ethical non-monogamy (ENM), is an umbrella term for relationships in which all partners give explicit consent to engage in romantic, intimate, and/or sexual relationships with multiple people.[1] Consensual non-monogamy differs from infidelity by the knowledge and consent of those involved, and from polygamy by the various partners not being in a single marriage.

## Varieties[edit]

Consensual non-monogamy can take many different forms, depending on the needs and preferences of the individuals involved in specific relationships. The most studied and prevalent forms of consensual non-monogamy are swinging, polyamory, and open relationships.[2][3]

In a swinging relationship a couple tend to engage in sexual activities with people other than their primary partner, typically at a party or in another social settings.[4] Polyamorous relationships are those in which people experience both sexual and emotional relationships with multiple partners concurrently, placing emphasis on a romantic and emotional aspects of the relationship, rather than on strictly sexual.[4][5] An open relationship is a relationship arrangement in which one or both partners seek sexual relationships independently of each other.[4]

Some authors suggest the concept of relationship anarchy, which describes intimate relationships characterized by principles aligned with anarchism, that include autonomy, the rejection of hierarchies, the absence of state intervention, rejection of societal norms, and a focus on community interdependence.[6]

It is important to note that the above-described categories are not mutually exclusive or collectively exhaustive as individual experiences often diverge from standard definitions due to the intricate nuances inherent in the complexity of human sexual relationships.[4][7]

## Prevalence[edit]

It is estimated that up to 5% of Americans,[8] 2.5% of Canadians,[9] around 3% of Norwegians,[10] and 3.3% of Dutch and Flemish[11] are engaged in consensual non-monogamy at an any given time and around a quarter of the Americans, Canadians, Norwegians, and Dutch and Flemish at least once have engaged in a consensually non-monogamous relationship in their lifetime.[9][12][10][11] In two surveys in 2013 and 2014, one fifth of surveyed single United States adults had, at some point in their lives, engaged in consensual non-monogamy.[13]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Moors, Amy C.; Ramos, Ashley; Schechinger, Heath (March 2023). "Bridging the science communication gap: The development of a fact sheet for clinicians and researchers about consensually nonmonogamous relationships". Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. 10 (1): 166–174. doi:10.1037/sgd0000487. ISSN 2329-0390.
2. ^ Richards, Christina; Barker, Meg (2013). Sexuality and Gender for Mental Health Professionals: A Practical Guide. 1 Oliver's Yard, 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1SP United Kingdom: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi:10.4135/9781473957817. ISBN 978-0-85702-843-3.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location (link)
3. ^ Rubel, Alicia N.; Bogaert, Anthony F. (2015-11-22). "Consensual Nonmonogamy: Psychological Well-Being and Relationship Quality Correlates". The Journal of Sex Research. 52 (9): 961–982. doi:10.1080/00224499.2014.942722. ISSN 0022-4499. PMID 25189189.
4. ^ a b c d Matsick, Jes L.; Conley, Terri D.; Ziegler, Ali; Moors, Amy C.; Rubin, Jennifer D. (2014-10-02). "Love and sex: polyamorous relationships are perceived more favourably than swinging and open relationships". Psychology & Sexuality. 5 (4): 339–348. doi:10.1080/19419899.2013.832934. ISSN 1941-9899.
5. ^ Grunt-Mejer, Katarzyna; Campbell, Christine (2016-01-02). "Around Consensual Nonmonogamies: Assessing Attitudes Toward Nonexclusive Relationships". The Journal of Sex Research. 53 (1): 45–53. doi:10.1080/00224499.2015.1010193. ISSN 0022-4499. PMID 26241075.
6. ^ Nordgren, Andie (2006). "The short instructional manifesto for relationship anarchy". The Anarchist Library. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
7. ^ Scoats, Ryan; Campbell, Christine (December 2022). "What do we know about consensual non-monogamy?". Current Opinion in Psychology. 48: 101468. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101468. PMID 36215906.
8. ^ Rubin, Jennifer; Moors, Amy; Matsick, Jes; Ziegler, Ali; Conley, Terri (2014-01-01). "On the Margins: Considering Diversity Among Consensually Non-monogamous Relationships". Psychology Faculty Articles and Research.
9. ^ a b Fairbrother, Nichole; Hart, Trevor A.; Fairbrother, Malcolm (2019-07-24). "Open Relationship Prevalence, Characteristics, and Correlates in a Nationally Representative Sample of Canadian Adults". The Journal of Sex Research. 56 (6): 695–704. doi:10.1080/00224499.2019.1580667. ISSN 0022-4499. PMID 30932711.
10. ^ a b Træen, Bente; Thuen, Frode (2022-01-02). "Non-consensual and Consensual Non-monogamy in Norway". International Journal of Sexual Health. 34 (1): 65–80. doi:10.1080/19317611.2021.1947931. hdl:11250/2822937. ISSN 1931-7611. PMC 10906970. PMID 38595687.
11. ^ a b Horsten, Joost; de Liefde, Pluk (2017). "Hoeveel polyamoristen zijn er in Nederland en Vlaanderen?" (PDF).
12. ^ Rubel, Alicia N; Burleigh, Tyler J (February 2020). "Counting polyamorists who count: Prevalence and definitions of an under-researched form of consensual nonmonogamy". Sexualities. 23 (1–2): 3–27. doi:10.1177/1363460718779781. ISSN 1363-4607.
13. ^ Haupert, M. L.; Gesselman, Amanda N.; Moors, Amy C.; Fisher, Helen E.; Garcia, Justin R. (2017-07-04). "Prevalence of Experiences With Consensual Nonmonogamous Relationships: Findings From Two National Samples of Single Americans". Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 43 (5): 424–440. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2016.1178675. ISSN 0092-623X. PMID 27096488. S2CID 6855648.

## See also[edit]

* Extramarital sex
* Mixed-orientation marriage
* The Ethical Slut

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