Are you open enough for an "open relationship"?

"Are you open enough for an open relationship?" reads the title of an article on Psychology Today, where psychotherapist Moshe Ratson, MBA, MFT, defines the various forms of such relationships. Many people imagine the "ideal" romantic relationship as a partnership with a single partner who satisfies all their love and intimate needs. Still others want to receive intimate, emotional and sexual experiences through more than just a single partner. The non-monogamous relationship, with its many variations, offers possibilities beyond the exclusivity of conventional intimacy. It is a type of relationship where both partners agree to have sexual and/or romantic relationships with other people outside of their partnership.

We know several different forms of non-monogamous relationships, but there is something common to all of them. For a successful open relationship, the initial relationship must lay a healthy foundation, and a high level of trust must prevail in it. Communication and honesty are key in all forms of open relationships.

Are you open enough for an open relationship?

Open relationship – An open relationship is defined as a couple where both partners are open to having sex with anyone and at any time, as long as both agree.

Open marriage – A married couple agrees that one or both partners may have sexual partners outside of marriage. In this arrangement, marriage remains the central relationship.

Swingers – it concerns couples who also have sexual relations with others. Usually, both partners swap partners with another couple and have sex with other committed partners. Emotional intimacy with others is often not encouraged in such a relationship.

Polyamory - polyamory is defined as the permission to practice intimacy and romantic love with more than one partner at the same time. Although there are variations on this relationship style, in general, polyamorous relationships involve commitment to multiple partners.

Polyfidelity – polyfidelity is a model of “group marriage” that is essentially the same as marriage — except that you are married to more than one person. Those involved live together, share finances, children, family and household responsibilities.

'Monogamish' - mostly monogamous relationships with occasional arranged sexual encounters outside the relationship. It may also be the case that one partner is allowed to have other casual relationships while the other partner remains monogamous.

Casual sex - casual sexual encounters outside of the primary relationship are allowed.

Emotional non-monogamy - allowed emotional intimacy with others, but not necessarily sexual contact.