I confess that this is a new term to me that I have seen a few times here at TFP. I did a google search and found a paper by a psychologist who also engages in polyamory.
My questions:
1) Are these accurate descriptions of the types of polymory?;
2) How are they significantly different from my understanding of "open relationships," or "swinging?";
3) Is there some importance, whether cultural or otherwise, in making this new distinction?
4) What other forms of polymory exit?
Link
Quote:
Types of Polyamory
There are three main variations of polyamory. In the first, "one relationship takes priority over others," as in a relationship that allows partners to include outside lovers (D. Corbett, personal communication, 3/17/99). Ties with the additional lovers are seen as a source of added joy and enrichment in the partners' lives (Peabody, 1982). There is a sense that "sex and love are independent and sex should be enjoyed for its own sake" (Ramey, 1975, p. 518). The original couple considers their relationship to be their "primary" bond, and it is the relationship that they each devote the most time, energy and loyalty to. The emotional bonds with these other lovers may be close or they may be casual, but they are not as strong as the bond between the original partners. One sub-type is the 'swinging' relationship, in which two or more couples 'swap' partners for a limited time under strictly defined circumstances. Another sub-type is the 'open relationship,' in which one partner's taking a lover does not need to occur simultaneously with the other partner's doing so.
The next type of polyamorous relationship is one in which two or more relationships are of comparable weight, but the person's partners do not have a strong relationship with each other. (D. Corbett, personal communication, 3/17/99). Each of these relationships are considered to be of importance in the person's life, and significant time and energy is devoted to each.
The third type of polyamorous relationship is the poly-family: "an inter-relationship of 3 or more people, in which there is a strong relational commitment between all members (which may or may not include sex)" (D. Corbett, personal communication, 3/17/99). The members spend significant amounts of time together as a group, and the well-being of each person is a significant priority to each of the others.
This is not an exhaustive list of potential polyamory configurations, but these are the main patterns upon which specific relationships are typically negotiated. What these relationships have in common is a rejection of the expectation that one partner can meet all of the other's relationship needs - emotional, social, sexual, economic, and intellectual (Peabody, 1982, p. 428). Polyamory is seen as enhancing both personal and interpersonal growth, as closer associations with people who have among them a wide variety of personality traits and personal strengths are formed.
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This author relies upon very dated publications and recent personal communications in order to support the thesis. I find that difficult to accept for the obvious reason that necessary current research and neutrality of position are lacking.
I believe the members of TFP can offer a dialogue that brings clarity to the topic.