5 Differences between an open relationship and polyamory

Non-monogamous relationships can be classified in a wide variety of terms that encompass the characteristics in this type of human interrelationships. Within those terms, we find polyamory and open relationships, two ways of relating and establishing relationships that, although they are often confused, are very different. Therefore, it is important to identify the differences between each of them to clearly understand what these concepts consist of. In this way, you will be able to know its limits and conditions from the beginning.

In the following Psychology-online article we will explain the differences between an open relationship and polyamory.

Index

1. What is an open relationship
2. What is polyamory
3. the presence of love
4. hierarchies
5. Its duration
6. The obligations of the couple
7. The agreements and pacts

An open relationship is a non-monogamous relationship, in which its members make the decision to experience sexual or affective relationships with other people, but without losing the initial relationship. That is to say, it is a kind of society that is established between a couple, in which it is allowed to have sexual encounters or openly seeing 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, in general, are only relationships of a sexual nature. In any case, the members know very well what is happening, since previous agreements are established which may vary over time or according to each particular couple.

In open relationships, people seek experience new sensations or satisfy the needs not covered in their stable relationships. They almost always try not to involve feelings, although this is highly variable, since sometimes there is not so 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 relations.

In fact, polyamorous people are able to fall in love and love 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 they can add more members or closed polyamorous if they do not admit more members than they already have 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 tend to have a clear picture of what is happening in their love and sexual life. 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.

On the other hand, 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 durable, since lasting affective bonds are not created.

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

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

Conversely, 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, in general, each member of the relationship can request explanations or opinions regarding third parties involved. In open relationships, on the contrary, there is often the agreement "don't ask, don't question."

In short, each type of relationship has its own characteristics and both in polyamory and in relationships open, 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 asked you to open 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 Psychology-Online 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 category of Feelings.

• Aldana, A. (2018). Of polyamory and other demons. Maguare, 32(2), 185-198.
• Carrillo, A., Espinoza, M., Gutiérrez, I. R., & Cortes, J. m. (2019). Willingness to engage in consensual non-monogamous relationships. Electronic Journal of Psychology of the FES Zaragoza-UNAM, 9(17), 27-34.