What is an open sex relationship?

An open sex relationship refers to a mutual agreement of people who are already in a couple to not be exclusive to each other. This means that people who dare to open up their marriage or dating arrangement usually have more than one sexual or a romantic partner (often it’s both). That kind of relationship is classified as non-exclusive, non-monogamous.

How is it different from cheating? Consent sits at the very core of any open relationship. Consent can mean the difference between having an affair behind your partner’s back and a polyamorous lifestyle. When the consensus of both partners in a couple on being non-exclusive is missing, it is defined as a non-consensual, non-monogamous relationship. This is not the same as the one we’re talking about, and we’d advise you to avoid it, as it leads to hurtful breakups and divorces.

Other names for an open relationship include polyamory, polygamy, or consensual non-monogamy. Polygamy refers to having multiple (often married) partners and is different from having numerous romantic interests, such as in polyamory.


Getting started

Looking for a partner to spice up your love life? Although being non-exclusive, non-monogamous is common in the western world; it is still not as easy to find a partner as you’d think. People aren’t always willing to admit to them being non-monogamous as it is considered a red flag according to traditional dating standards. Plus, you can’t just walk up to people and ask them to lend you a hand in your non-monogamy.

This is where the various tools might come in handy. For example, there are plenty of online dating and hookup websites that allow you to find a mature partner outside your relationship. As we all know dating a mature person can be more straightforward than dating as a twentysomething. We’ve reached to maturesforfuck platform for the comment on this issue and they’ve told us that before, to spice up your sex life, you either had to join half-secretive clubs or simply cheat on your partner, yet now with the advent of online dating technologies you can arrange a meeting from the comfort of your own home.


Should you get an open relationship? Pros and Cons

Now that you understand what open sex relationships are and how to get started with one, it’s probably best to read up on the reasons to join it. It’s best to analyze what being in such an arrangement means before you choose it for yourself. Like all other things in this world, open relationships also come with a set of both pro and contra.

Why should you consider it?

There are numerous benefits to opening up your couple to let the strangers in your bedroom. These can be individual, such as making you feel more comfortable in your skin. They can also be couple-centric, like strengthening your relationship with your primary partner. Here are some of the benefits of a non-monogamous relationship to help you choose whether or not it’s the right choice for you:

1) No single person can fulfill all your needs. Similarly, mutually exclusive relationships can’t always satisfy your needs since there is only so much that one person can offer. Opening up allows you and your partner to explore beyond restrictions and choose what’s best for you in many different avenues.

2) The excitement of a new partner is priceless. However, it seems to only last a few months before it dies off and vanishes forever. Being open to new experiences allows you to live that thrill more often.

3) Research suggests that people in open relationships tend to be more open with their primary partners. This is because they have already crossed a seemingly impossible hurdle, i.e., staying true to each other without being exclusive, that everything else just seems trivial.

4) Open relationships help partners appreciate each other more. This is because they see each other being admired by other people all the time. This serves as a reminder not to take things for granted.

5) Finally, open relationships work on the belief system that sex is supposed to be a fun and casual activity – much like watching porn. Placing restrictions on one’s sex life leads to resentment, while removing said restrictions gives a person so much more space to thrive.



And here are the reasons to avoid opening up your relationship:

We found out that open relationships can be fun and healthy. However, like all good things in the world, such arrangements also come with their fair share of drawbacks. Problems arise when partners fail to stay on the same page about being non-exclusive. Insecurities and resentments can seep into the cracks caused by non-agreement and cause complications. Here are some of the major cons of being in an open relationship with your partner:

1) People involved in open relationships can start to experience identity crises and depression. This is because we have been socially programmed to stay exclusive. It is common to find yourself distressed when trying to go against the norms.

2) Both partners can have very different expectations from an open relationship. One partner might want to experience newer sexual relations. In contrast, the other partner might just be looking for a soulful experience with new people. This can lead to expectation conflict in a non-monogamous agreement.

3) Most couples set out on their journey of being non-exclusive together. However, one of them soon finds out that open relationships are not for them. This causes problems down the road and essentially destroys the primary relationship.

4) Communication and consent is the key in such relationships. If both primary partners are not open with each other about their experiences with other people, sexual or not, it can lead to jealousy and insecurities.

5) Both partners must always remain aware of the influence their new experiences have on the primary relationship. One big drawback of open relationships and new experiences is that people often forget about and neglect the foundations.


Summary

Open relationships are mutual agreements between two primary partners on not being exclusive to one another, sexually and/or otherwise. They rely on the sole foundation of consent and transparency, as a single breach in any of these can turn a consensual, non-monogamous experience into non-consensual, polyamory – a.k.a cheating.

As they carry both advantages and disadvantages, whether or not an open relationship is right for you depends on how well it fits your expectations, ambitions, and lifestyle. Explore and discover new possibilities, yet always decide is it worth it or not if you can hurt your partner in a process.

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