You just need to know a few basic terms and youll be well on your way.
Below, with the help of six polyamory educators, we put together a non-monogamy glossary.
Scroll down to become a student of the increasingly popular relationship structure.
There are a number of non-monogamous relationship agreements and designs that fall under the non-monogamous catch-all.
Historically, the term ethical non-monogamy was used to separate non-monogamy from, well, unethical cheating.
Polyamory
Polyamoryliterally translates to many (poly) loves (amory).
relationship mediator, specializing in jealousy management
Open relationship
Open relationships are a form of non-monogamy.
(There is a great episode on the Multiamory podcast aboutambiamory).
Typically, the relationship between the three people is romantic and loving.
(When three people have a purely sexual relationship, the termthreesomeor threeway is usually used instead).
However, sometimes people use the word triad for different relationship shapes, too.
A triad can be open or closed, says Wright.
Or, if one partner travels a lot for work, or if you live separately.
Typically, these partners are denoted as primary, seconds, tertiary, and so on.
You still like and respect one another, but arent necessarily friends, she says.
relationship mediator, specializing in jealousy management
To be clear: Parallel polyamory is a valid preference and structure.
Sometimes people judge parallel polyamory, assuming that its less evolved than kitchen table polyamory, says Daylover.
But that is not the case!
Anchor partnersconsider one another when making major life decisions.
If you do not live with a partner you are not a nesting partner, she says.
While nesting partners are more than roommates, they arenotnecessarily romantic or sexual.
It is possible for nesting partners to be platonic, she says.
For the record, comet relationships dont denote a lack of seriousness.
Compersion
Compersionis the experience of feeling joy in response to someone we care about feeling joy.
Often, compersion is defined as the opposite of jealousy.
Its possible to experience compersion and jealousy simultaneously, she says.
The term polysaturated acknowledges that while love may not be limited, time and energy are.
However, its heartening to know that embracing and discussing non-monogamy doesnt require an extensive dictionary.
With a basic understanding of key terms, anyone can delve in.
The significance of labels lies not in their definition but in the acceptance and understanding they bring to relationships.
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