User:Sylvia Blossom/sandbox

Monoamory vs. Monogamy

Monoamory is not a commonly used term, but some people do use the word "monoamory" to indicate that they are in a two-person unmarried relationship. (cite) Monogamy, meaning a marriage between two partners, is well established. (Cite Webster's). The word "monogamy" is commonly used to refer to unmarried couples as well as married couples. However, for relationships between multiple partners, the term "polyamory" (cite polyamorysociety.org & wikipedia on polyamory?) has been established to differentiate between those who are polyamorous (having multiple unmarried partners) (cite) and those who are polygamous (in a marriage with multiple partners). Many who are polyamorous do not like to be identified as "swingers" or associated with parnter swaps, so it is important to know the difference (link to vocab below) Some people practice a combination of both polyamory and monogamy or polygamy, having one or more married partners as well as one or more unmarried partners. Sometimes this is referred to as an open marriage & sometimes married partners who have relationships outside of the marriage identify themselves as polyamorous. (cite). It is important to make a distinction between the terms "swinger" and "polyamorous" and "polygamous" as many people unfamiliar with the term "polyamory" will associate it with either swingers or with polygamy, which many who are polyamorous are offended by. However some swingers will identify themselves as "polyamorous". The term "serial monogamy" means to have several sequential two-person marriages (not at the same time), however it is also sometimes used to describe people who have several sequential relationships with only person at a time. Most serial monogamists simply refer to themselves as monogamists. Use of the word "serial monoamory" is rare.

Van Anders Social Neuroendocrinology lab studies partnering, pair bonding, and relationships. "We try to focus on diverse aspects of partnering, from long distance relationships to casual relationships to polyamory and to monoamory (and beyond!)." http://www-personal.umich.edu/~smva/research.html

However, biologists define different types of "monogamy" in animals and humans (who may not be actually married or even sexually or genetically monogamous): Biologists use monagamy to describe relationships between two biological animals that raise their young together, though they may not be "sexually monogamous". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monogamy)

Modern researchers in Biology differentiate between four types of monogamy in humans: "Social monogamy refers to two partners living together, having sex with each other, and cooperating in acquiring basic resources such as shelter, food, and money.     Sexual monogamy refers to two partners remaining sexually exclusive with each other and having no outside sex partners.     Genetic monogamy refers to two partners only having offspring with each other.     Marital monogamy refers to marriages of only two people.("http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monogamy which cites the following: Reichard, U.H. (2003). "Monogamy: Past and present". In        Reichard, U.H., Boesch, C.. Monogamy: Mating strategies and partnerships in birds, humans, and other mammals. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 3–25. ISBN 0-521-52577-2.)

Vocabulary

Monoamory (roots of the words & any references to people labeling themselves as "monoamorous" noted by a trusted academic) See also usages....below

Monogamy (roots + definition + link) See also usages....below

Polyamory (roots + defintion + link) See also usages....below

Polygamy (roots + definition + link) See also usages....below

Serial Monogamy (roots + definition + link)

Serial Monoamory (roots + usage noted by a trusted academic)

Open Marriage (definition + link)

Swingers (definition + link)

Partner Swaps (definition + link)

Usages of the words monoamory, monogamy, polyamory, and polygymy and variations on the terms: "MONOAMORY; also MONAMORY: The state or practice of loving only one person at a time. In practice, it means essentially the same thing as monogamy, though it is sometimes applied to a person who self-identifies as monogamous but is involved in a romantic relationship with a person who self-defines as polyamorous." ( Polyamory:  An Anthropological Study by Natalie Perry, Honors Thesis Submitted to Department of Anthropology, Hofstra University, 2006. http://people.hofstra.edu/daniel_m_varisco/hpiaperry.html)

"Anthony Ravenscroft (2004), author of Polyamory: Roadmaps for the Clueless & Hopeful, has tried to speak of monoamory to refer to “couple-oriented” individuals (p. 4). His effort did not meet with wide scale success, perhaps in part because he uses the term to refer to not only those only want one partner but also includes polyamorous dyads that do not currently have any other partners...For the purpose of this essay I will adopt the use of ‘monoamory’ to refer to non-married exclusive two-partner relationships and ‘monoamorous’ to refer to those who want only one romantic partner at a time." (http://whatisloveproject.com/post/10914497167/growing-up-poly)

"As a corollary to a love affair between two people in the reality described as "monoamori" instead of monogamy. And instead of using the word monogamous, should the word monoamorøs used as opposed to polyamorous" (Google Translation from Norwegian to English. From Wikipedia Page http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamori under subheading of "Avgrensning".

Usage of the words "monoamorer", "monoamory", and "monogamie" (in German, www.europeonline-magazine.eu/wikisearch.php?title=Polyamorie)

Usage of monomaory, etc... (Google Translation, in German,) "...A "...Accordingly would very restrictive and the practice of exclusive "one-to-one" will love affair called "Monoamory", instead of "monogamy". To self-determination and freely chosen one-to-one relationships, polyamory does not as standing in contrast..." http://www.collart.de/inhalt/polyamory.htm, paragraph 4)

Comparison of the words polyamory, polygami, monoamory & monogami.(in Danish, under subheading "Afgrænsning",http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamory#Afgr.C3.A6nsning) Usage of the words Monoamory, monoagamie, polyamour, polyamore, and polygamer (in German; http://de.academic.ru/dic.nsf/dewiki/939721#Terminologie). Links www.Polyamorysociety.org glossary http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamory

Citations