Differences Between An Open Relationship And Polyamory

An open relationship is a non-monogamous relationship, in which its members make the decision to experience sexual or emotional relationships with other people, but without losing the initial relationship. That is, it is a type of partnership that is established between a couple, in which they are allowed to have sexual encounters or openly see other people, without feeling concern or remorse for it.

Relationships that are established outside of the initial relationship may or may not be stable and are generally only relationships of a sexual nature. In any case, the members know very well what is happening, since prior agreements are established which may vary over time or according to each particular couple.

In open relationships, people look for experience new sensations or satisfy unmet needs in their stable relationships. They almost always try not to involve feelings, although this varies greatly, since sometimes there is not as much emotional control. If you want to know more about it, you can read the article we explain: Do open relationships work?

Polyamory is a practice in which more than one partner is loved equally. In this type of relationship, the members of the couple profess affection and different ways of love, so emotions and feelings are deeply involved in this type of relationship.

In fact, polyamorous people are capable of falling in love and loving several people without the need to establish a hierarchy, since they distribute their love equally. These types of relationships can be classified as open polyamorous, which are those in which more members can be added, or closed polyamorous if they do not admit more members than those that already exist.

Likewise, one of the similarities between an open relationship and polyamory is the open communication In fact, those who participate in any of these dynamics usually have a clear picture of what is happening in their love and sexual lives. The ideal is to leave the conditions established from the beginning of this type of relationship.

So how can we distinguish between polyamory and an open relationship? Next, we explain the main differences between these terms.

polyamory has a romantic bond in which love and feelings are directly involved. That is, it focuses on establishing emotionally committed relationships with several people who support each other.

On the contrary, in open relationships the need for sexual satisfaction predominates and to experience new physical sensations.

Another difference between polyamory and open relationships is that in polyamory there are no hierarchies or preferences between the members of the relationship, since all consider themselves equally loved.

For its part, in open relationships, There is always one of its members who feels a preference for another.since it makes you experience new sensations.

Among the main differences between polyamory and relationships, it is also found that the latter tend to be less lasting, since lasting emotional ties are not created

On the other hand, in polyamory the relationships are almost always long-term, since a persistent loving and supportive bond

In open relationships there is not always an obligation to comply with the protocol typical of a couple, such as appointments, details, gifts, celebrations, since in many cases they are meetings agreed to satisfy desires and fantasies.

On the contrary, people in polyamorous relationships They profess affection and are attentive to details just as, according to social norms, monogamous couples do.

In polyamory there are clear agreements from the beginning In these agreements, generally, each member of the relationship can ask for explanations or opinions regarding third parties involved. In open relationships, on the other hand, there is often the agreement “don’t ask, don’t question.”

In short, each type of relationship has its own characteristics and in both polyamory and open relationships, the important thing is that each person is honest with what they want and with their limits to avoid suffering or anxieties. On the other hand, if your partner has suggested opening the relationship and you have doubts, here you will find What to do when your partner asks you for an open relationship.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Differences between an open relationship and polyamory we recommend that you enter our Feelings category.