What is Polyamory?

Ever heard of Polyamory? Find out here what all the talk is about.

Polyamory has become a trend over the past few decades, and it is even more popular in this twenty-first century world. It is best defined as (according to Wikipedia) "the practice or lifestyle of being open to having more than one loving, intimate relationship at a time, with the full knowledge and consent of all parties involved." Polyamory literally means "loving more than one" – poly (many) and amor (love). You may find poly folk on newsgroups, Yahoo groups, in blogs, and even at some science fiction and fantasy conventions. Our most popular sex toys amongst polyamore couples are vibrators, butt plugs, strap ons, many of our popular sex aids, remote control vibrator and they tend to absolutely love our bondage gear too. Any of these items can easily be found in our online sex shop.

What Poly Is Not

The key is consent. Polyamory is not cheating on your lover or spouse. While it has many aspects in common with swinging, it is not the same thing as swinging. Being poly does not involve subterfuge, or seeing another person behind your partner's back and without your partner's knowledge. It is also not the same as bigamy or polygamy, which involves multiple marriages. Bigamy involves multiple marriages, often without the knowledge or consent of the spouses. Polygamy is one man having more than one wife which is illegal in some parts of the world and legal in others. Some people believe that polyamory, despite the consent, is nothing more than cheating with the okay of a spouse. That may be true to some extent, because Yahoo polyamory groups include married folk who want to "convince" their reluctant spouses that polyamory will improve their marriages. When a spouse agrees to a polyamorous relationship with great reluctance and for all the wrong reasons, such as wanting to please a spouse (often a husband), or hoping that adding more people to the relationship mix will improve their marriage, that is not polyamory. That is a marriage in trouble. Adding more relationships will not improve it. Chances are, the relationship will become worse.

Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!

Polyamorous relationships are very deeply involved to varying degrees between the parties. It is important that all parties like and respect each other. Does that sound difficult? You bet it is, but any relationship requires insight and work. Communication and respect are keys to any good relationship, and polyamorous relationships rely on those qualities as much if not more than monogamous relationships.

Types of Poly Relationships

There are several types of polyamorous relationships. Here they are, in a nutshell: • Polyfidelity – multiple, sexual relationships within a closed group • Sub-relationships – poly relationships with "primary" and "secondary" partners, also known as open marriage. • Polygamy and polyandry – One person marries several spouses. Not normally considered polyamory, but it's related. Polygamous relationships involve one man with multiple wives. The less common polyandry involves one woman with multiple husbands. • Mono/poly relationships. One person is poly while the other is monogamous. • "Geometric" relationships – such as the "V". Three partners with one being the main focal point. Two men and one woman with the woman being the primary focus is an example.

Where To Find More Information

Is polyamory for you? If you are curious, read "The Ethical Slut", the most famous book about polyamory. If you and your partner communicate well and are open to the joys and work of polyamory, it may be for you. Seek out Yahoo groups and Livejournal polyamory pages for more information.

Back to Sex Toy Guides

Bondara® is a registered trademark and Bondara is the trading name of Nagook Ltd. Copyright 2006-2008. All models are over 18. E-commerce Website Design by Popcorn.