User:Ivonnejuraidini/sandbox

The definition of an open marriage (Consensual non-monogamy) is that there is an agreement between the two partners to have sexual relationships outside the couple.

Consensual non-monogamous relationships may take form in polyamory, polyfidelity, open relationships, and swinging. It has been estimated that about 4% of the adult population in the United States engage in consensual non-monogamous relationships. Polyamory is consensual, multiple partner relationships in which both partners have agreed to engage in additional partners outside the marriage. It is a form of consensual non-monogamy (open marriage).

There is a lack of content regarding studies and educational programming in open marriage and diverse relationship structures. Due to this, there is much uncertainty regarding the topic.

Common misconceptions (Orion 2018):

-It is against all religions.

-Open marriage is the same as polygyny, which is one man having multiple spouses or polygamy that refers to a marriage of many.

-It is against the law.

-Open marriage signals attachment disorder

Characteristics of an open marriage :

Here-and-now living combined with realistic expectations: There is a reduction of commitment to and sacrifice in the long-term goals.

Personal privacy:  A greater respect for personal privacy than in a traditional marriage.

Open and honest communication: sharing, self-disclosure, and productive fighting.

Role flexibility: open partners exhibit this considerably.

Open companionship: avoiding traditional marriage assumptions of coupledness. This may involve the development of deep personal, sexual relationships with other members outside their marriage.

Equality: equality of power as well as responsibility.

Pursuit of identity: An individual’s uniqueness is valued, differences are not seen as a threat.

Mutual trust: an assumption that everything is out on the open and that one’s partner is not a possession that is guarded.

Annotated Bibliography

Levine, Ethan et al. “Open Relationships, Nonconsensual Nonmonogamy, and Monogamy Among U.S. Adults: Findings from the 2012 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior.” Archives of Sexual Behavior 47.5 (2018): 1439–1450. Web.

The journal focuses on the little representation in research done in consensual non-monogamy. It concludes that it is a minority in the western world. The journal itself elaborates a research with a focus on relationship structure, STD testing, condom use, and relationship satisfaction. 89% of the participants were in monogamous relationships, 4% reported open relationships, and 8% reported nonconsensual non-monogamy. Results were that nonconsensual non-monogamy had the highest rate of STI testing; people in open relationships had the highest use of condoms; and both of those groups had lower sexual satisfaction than those in monogamous relationships. I used this research to present factual numerical data as well as to mention the lack of research of this community.

Orion, Rhea. A Therapist's Guide to Consensual Nonmonogamy : Polyamory, Swinging, and Open Marriage, Routledge, 2018. ProQuest Ebook Central,

The book presents the concept of consensual non-monogamy as a growing phenomenon in the western world. The author talks about how monogamy might not work for all people and the reality of a marriage needs to be updated. It also approaches the concept of reaching out to a specialist for therapy on how to address relational aspects as well as sexual issues. The author presents academic research done by her over 15 years of working with CNM population. In part I she focuses on how monogamy and consensual non-monogamy have changed throughout the time. Part II focuses on presenting the issues that came up frequently in cases and how it was dealt with therapeutic intervention. For my use in the project, I used this source to provide common misconceptions regarding consensual non-monogamy as well as to verify the definition I have used from another source.

Sheff, Elisabeth. The Polyamorists Next Door: Inside Multiple-Partner Relationships and Families / Elisabeth Sheff. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2014. Print.

The book The Polyamorists Next Door: Inside Multiple-Partner Relationships and Families is divided into two parts. Part one looks at understanding polyamorous and consensual non-monogamous relationships. It defines the concept in detail and clears up misconceptions with polygyny. It also offers factual information regarding poly communities and how they are represented as a sexual minority. Part two looks at polyamorous families and children. It provides information on how kids react under an open marriage family based on studies done by the author which involved mainly interviews. This book offers studies, research, and factual information that has been approved and makes it a well reliable resource to use in my page. I used it to present a clear definition of open marriage and to clear up misconceptions regarding the term.

Wachowiak, Dale, and Hannelore Bragg. “Open Marriage and Marital Adjustment.” Journal of Marriage and Family, vol. 42, no. 1, 1980, pp. 57–62. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/351933.

This journal looks at analyzing the aspects of open marriage through a study that focuses on a sample of educated, upper-middle class couples. Results showed that marital openness is inversely related to age, number of children, and church attendance. The study begins by presenting the characteristics most open marriages seem to have; which I have used to present in my Wikipedia page. The study concluded that marital openness is positively related to martial adjustment for the women only. Trust, honest, openness, and clear role arrangements were key factors for the women. For the men, no significant relation was observed. The journal in overall offers key information that allows one to understand detailed aspects of an open marriage.