Do you dream of spending all of eternity with your one true love? As the most common relationship model across the world, monogamy seems predetermined and fixed in our society. But as it turns out, not all monogamous relationships follow the same structure. So, what exactly makes a relationship monogamous? And how do different couples integrate monogamy into their love lives?
Welcome to The Monogamy Experiment - your complete guide to non-monogamy, monogamy, and polyamory. Join us as we embark on a thrilling exploration of the different types of monogamy and unpack their significance to relationships around the world. Don't forget to share this post with your friends and loved ones and discover other insightful guides here at The Monogamy Experiment.
Now, let's dive into the fascinating world of monogamy and uncover its diverse meanings.
Social Monogamy
Social monogamous relationships are based on cohabitation and interdependence, rather than on sexual exclusivity. Couples living in a social monogamous partnership share their resources, time, and space. They work together as a team to navigate the hurdles of life, run a household, and potentially raise children. However, social monogamy does not inherently imply sexual exclusivity. Some socially monogamous couples may engage in ethically non-monogamous relationships, such as open marriages or polyamory.
For example, consider Mia and Henry, a married couple who have been living together for ten years. They have two kids together, share a mortgage on a home, and manage all of their finances in partnership. Although the couple is married and primarily considers their relationship monogamous, they each have other, secondary partners, with whom they maintain consensual, open relationships.
Sexual Monogamy
Sexual monogamy entails committing to only one sexual partner for the duration of the relationship. A sexually monogamous couple will consider themselves faithful and loyal, as they've agreed to exclusive, intimate bonding. This can apply to short-term relationships, long-term relationships, or even marriages. Couples who adhere strictly to sexual monogamy often do so for practical reasons, emotional security, or religious and cultural beliefs.
Take, for instance, Emily and Ben, who have been together for five years. They are sexually monogamous, as they believe that maintaining an intimate bond between only the two of them is essential for their emotional well-being. Although they don't live together and maintain separate economic lives, this couple considers their relationship to be monogamous, based on their emotional closeness and sexual exclusivity.
Serial Monogamy
Serial monogamy refers to the practice of forming successive, exclusive relationships. In other words, serial monogamists commit to one partner at a time, but change partners throughout their lives. This relationship model typically involves the dissolution of the primary relationship before engaging with a new partner. Reasons for serial monogamy can range from changes in personal growth, evolving needs, or the desire for new experiences.
One example could be Sarah, who has had three long-term, committed relationships across her lifetime. She tends to be exclusive with her chosen partner and invests in the relationship until it no longer functions or meets her needs. Once each relationship has ended, Sarah moves on to establish another monogamous bond with a new person.
In conclusion, monogamy is far from a one-size-fits-all concept. Social monogamy, sexual monogamy, and serial monogamy each offer diverse, unique experiences that cater to individual preferences and values. By educating ourselves on the different types of monogamy, we can foster more empathetic, open-minded conversations surrounding relationships in our society. So go ahead and share this article, explore more guides on The Monogamy Experiment, and continue to expand your horizons on matters of the heart.
