What do you think about Polyamerous relationships?

Oprah did a show on this quite a while ago. I could hardly believe it when I saw it. Our society has changed so much. I watched the whole program and I'll be honest I don't think there is anything wrong with it. The people who were in these relationships did not feel left out or cheated on. And there wasn't an issue of one being more into it than the other. In fact, I thought that those people had very mature attitudes about relationships. There wasn't jealousy. And it wasn't just about fulfilling something that was lacking. These were people who had strong, healthy relationships and simply wanted to share that with others. The one key factor is that all parties involved are there because they want to be, not because they feel pressure from their significant other. And if you are considering a polyamourous relationship to compensate for things that are missing in your primary relationship, then it is bound for failure. This type of relationship would not be good for anyone with any kind of insecurities (about themselves or their relationships), which takes out most of the general public, lol. But for people who are totally confident with themselves and their relationships, I believe that it could be very enriching, however unconventional. I think we are heading towards an age where anything goes when it comes to love. Come to think of it we are already there. A famous man once said "Judge not, lest ye yourself be judged."

I felt the need to look up the word devote in my dictionary before responding. It explained the meaning as consecrate, dedicate, give up exclusively, enthusiastic addiction or loyalty. So yes this polyamerous thing in my view would definately be cheating and not a contribution to a happy and fulfilling devoted relationship.

Personally, I don't think I'd be able to handle a relationship like this. One relationship has more than enough ups and downs for me, forget about trying to juggle multiple relationships and the drama that comes with each of them. As long as everyone knows about everyone else, and willingly enters the relationship, I don't think it's considered cheating.

I'm sorry, I think you have misunderstood the meaning of polyamory. It is 3 or more people all committed to a loving relationship with each other. There are no "on the side" relationships. All people involved are devoted to each other. It is ONE relationship which just happens to include more than 2 people. This is not at all the same as an "open relationship" in which the couple are allowed to "see" other people whenever they like with no rules or boundaries.

I think in the long run, these kinds of "relationships" don't work. Eventually at least one of the people involved starts to feel deeper feelings and becomes jealous, possessive, hurt, etc. People who want this kind of deal usually only want it for themselves. In other words, they want to be free to see whoever they want, but they really want all those people to be seeing only them. If two people really, truly love each other (not just infatuated) and are still hot for each other, why would they even want an open relationship? If they feel that need, doesn't that mean that they should just be dating around still and not even remotely committed to anyone? That would be more honest.

I myself could never be in that kind of relationship. I feel a bond between a man and a woman is very strong. I could not share that love with anyone else. I don't know how these ladies do it. I would always feel not good enough. For most this is the only life they have ever known.

I'm all for them provided everyone involved is in agreement and knows the score etc..and I am in an open marriage myself though I'm no longer with my other man and havent been for goin on 3 yrs..I had both of them in my life for a very long time and I love them both very deeply and passionately but for different reasons....If everyone involved KNOWS about the other parties then no of course its not cheating!

No doubt it is not a moral way love.. By this one may benifited instantly, physically but he will no remain satisfied forever. I think it is not act like humanly.

It's really not for me, I'm a jealous woman. But it's fine and dandy what other people do, none of my business.

I would not call it cheating for the simple fact i dont class this as relationship how can it be. A true relationship is two and only two people. If my other half wanted to be with me and others too it would lead me to believe he dont love me cause if he did he would not desire others. I would find it very hurtful and degrading for me.

Well I can't really consider it "cheating" since everyone knows and is okay with it, however I do think there is a problem with it. You can't devote yourself to that many different people and still call any of them a "relationship". To me, if you have that many significant others-it's not a relationship it's just fooling around. Someone is bound to get hurt like that.

I hate this kind of relationship. It's absolutely sort of cheating and unfair to his/her spouse. I don't think a normal person would allow such thing happening to him/her. I can never forgive him if he attempts to have one.

Polyamorous relationships are NOT cheating, 4 the simple fact that CHEATING means LYING and DECEIVING! There IS no lying involved, because everyone involved must AGREE 2 this arrangement! So, like u said, everyone KNOWS about everyone, and everyone AGREES! Nothing "wrong" here! I've never been in a polyamorous relationship, but I HAVE pondered the possibility of it! I AM curious 2 know how I'd feel about it. I think alot of people are 2 "hung up" on just 1 way of being, the "traditional" 1-on-1 relationship. I'm all 4 that! But, I "NEVER say never"! Who knows! MANY of us say we'd "never" do a certain thing, then, somewhere down the road, we end up doing it anyway! So, u never know what's gonna happen in life! Plus, many people "reject" this idea, because they feel that it's "morally wrong" or whatever. I even posted a similar discussion, asking the question, "Is monogamy REALLY 'natural' "? 'Cuz, if u look at MOST OTHER species in nature, it sure doesn't seem 2 be! We seem 2 THINK that we're so far REMOVED from other "wild" animals, but if that's so, then how come cheating is so WIDESPREAD? Is it because people are just unhappy with person they're with, or is it that they're FORCING themselves 2 CONFORM 2 an UNNATURAL way of being, just because society says it's the "right" way 2 go? From what I know of myself THUS FAR, I'm more of a 1-on-1 type of guy. BUT, since the IDEA of polyamory HAS sparked my interest, at some point, I just MIGHT try it out! I'm certainly NOT ruling it out! I'll remain OPEN 2 the "possibility"!

The definition for devote: to commit to wholly or chiefly, to set apart for a special purpose. If you are being with other people this is hardly devoting yourselves to one another. And what if he/she decides he/she enjoys the others company over he/she - your primary relationship would end. It's immoral and not something you would ever want to share with your children.

Nope, sorry. I just can't do it. I can't share someone I am devoted to with someone else. And nor can I share my own affections with someone else without forming attachments. and if attachments are formed with another, then there can be no relationship with the one that I would be devoted to. I know I was taught to share...but this is something that I can not share.

This kind of relationship definitely is not for me. I for one, enjoy having my partner for myself. Plain and simple. I don't like having to share and I do not want to share. However, if there are a few willing people that are quite interested in having an open relationship, and each of them consent, then who am I to judge? It's not cheating if all parties agree to it. Because they obviously know what is going on. It however, is just not something that I would be comfortable with.

for those that are in happy polyamourus relationships, then all i can say is good for them. personally i can't see how all parties concerned can be totally happy, it is in the human nature to want one person and to be the only person they want too. i have known people who have "open" relationships, and i have found that most of the time one partner is more into it than the other. the partner that is less inclined to have "open" relationships generally go ahead with it because they don't want to loose the person they are with. as for whether i would consider one, well i just don't know, i have never been put in that position before and i can't honestly say that i would discount it immediately, right place right time and all that. no i do not consider it cheating if all parties know what is going on, cheating to me is being covert and keeping secrets, polyamourus relationships rely on honesty at all times.

To be very honest i may not be very comfortable with this type of relation . If its one night stand i will not mind it but no long term realtion . I tend to become possesive when i am involved with some one and that will not work in this type of relation

I would never consider having a relationship like that. I cant even imagine any woman being okay with her boyfriend sleeping with her and 2 other woman on the side. In my opinion, that wouldn't even be considered a relationship. It doesn't even fall into the category. I wouldnt be able to handle a relationship like that, I would probably loose my mind. Nobody that is truly in love could ever be in a relationship like that.

All I can say is that Polyamerous relationships are not for me. But to those who live it, it's their life, so they are the ones who have to deal with it. Hey if that's what makes them happy. Go for it!! I don't think that it can be cheating if all of them know what is going on. I just don't like to share what's mine. So I would in no way even consider having a polyamerous relationship.