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Many people in relationships tend to think that monogamy is the only way to be in a relationship. Nothing could be more wrong, well maybe except for polygamy. There are many types of relationships other than monogamous ones. One type of relationship is called “non-monogamy” or an open relationship. In an open relationship, both partners agree that they can date other people and not worry about cheating on each other. There are many different open relationships, such as “swinging” and polyamory.
What Is an Open Relationship?
An open relationship is a committed, romantic relationship where the partners agree that each may have sexual contact with other people. An open relationship differs from an affair because it is an honest, transparent, and respectful agreement between two partners. Although there are different kinds of open relationships, the common thread is that they allow one or both partners to engage in outside intimacy.
Pros of An Open Relationship
You get to be with other people
One of the most significant benefits of an open relationship is that you get to experience relationships with other people besides your partner. This can be incredibly fun and exciting. By having the freedom to date, you get to meet all kinds of new people that you might not have had access to under different circumstances.
No fear of cheating
An open relationship allows you to date, other people without feeling like cheating on your significant other. Both partners can date other people with the knowledge that their partner is not doing the same thing behind their back. This takes away a lot of stress and anxiety, as neither person has to worry about what their significant other is up to.
Casual sex can be good for you
It’s not uncommon to date someone casually at the beginning of a relationship. But for some people, having casual sex can be very fulfilling and satisfying at any stage in a relationship. You may want this option because it feels like less stress compared to if you were in an exclusive, committed relationship with someone where you might feel pressure to have sex all the time.
Less possessiveness and more trust
If both partners are allowed to see other people, they usually feel less possessive or jealous of each other. This is because they know that even though their partner is dating other people, he/she would still come back to them. Because there’s no fear of violating an agreement, they also tend to trust their partner more than they might if the relationship were monogamous.
More freedom in relationships
Open relationships offer more freedom since both partners are allowed to date others. There are no restrictions on how long they can be outside the relationship or what they do with their dates. This allows one’s partner to pursue other interests without breaking up. This also gives both partners a sense of independence which is beneficial in solid relationships.
Learn new things about each other
Having the freedom to explore other options in life helps you appreciate things that you have at home even more! It may be helpful for couples who are struggling in their relationship because it enables them to see what else is out there before settling down ultimately. Because an open relationship is all about being honest, this arrangement can lead to more discussions about the future.
No pressure to get serious
Without all the seriousness and stress that comes with being monogamous, an open relationship allows both parties to take their time getting to know other people without feeling pressured or intimidated by a partner’s early interest in moving forward quickly. In non-monogamous relationships, there is no need for labels because you are already aware of each other’s feelings and expectations from the beginning. This lowers the chance of creating false expectations down the road, leading to unnecessary heartbreak. People date openly to test out what they have at home and learn more about themselves before entering into a monogamous relationship.
Cons of An Open Relationship
Hurting those who love you
While it sounds great to sleep with anyone you want, it sounds even better whenever you want. This could hurt feelings because not everyone is comfortable with their partner being intimate with other people. If one person has a problem dating someone else, they are probably not compatible for an open relationship.
The reason for cheating
Some people believe that they are in an open relationship but cheat on their partner. This could lead to the end of the relationship if both partners are not happy with being cuckolded or humiliated.
Lack of trust
It is pretty much impossible to have an open relationship if you can’t trust your partner. Your partner may say that he/she will remain faithful to you, but ultimately it’s up to them whether or not they follow through with that promise. Before agreeing to be in an open relationship, make sure that the two of you have a strong foundation of trust.
Loss of intimacy
In open or monogamous relationships, the sex with the primary partner is often different from sex outside the relationship because it can be more passionate and spontaneous. In an open relationship, partners may lose some intimacy in their primary partnership. It’s up to the couple to decide how much information to share. Some couples tell each other everything about their outside relationships, while others keep specific details private.
Jealousy could come into play when you’re in an open relationship
The agreement you’ve made with your partner before entering an open relationship should cover what to do if one of you gets jealous.
Risk of STDs and other diseases
As with any relationship, there are always some risks involved. One of the risks for those in an open relationship is getting an STD or passing one to your partner. This is because sex outside a monogamous relationship can expose you to different sexual practices and also different strains of any diseases that may be present.
Conclusion
An open relationship is a great way to allow your partner the freedom they deserve. It takes trust, communication, and lots of love for it to work out successfully. There are many benefits to an open relationship as well as some cons that come along with it.
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