If two men or two women should be allowed to get married simply because they “love” one another, then why limit marriage to just two people? Why not three people? Why not 10 people? Why not [allow] nieces and aunts to marry?UPDATE 3/24/15: 'Husband' Impregnates Both 'Married' Lesbian Wives (Polyamory)
-- Sen. Rick Santorum, August 2011
For background, read Homosexual 'Marriage' Not Enough; Next Goal and also read 'Gay Marriage' Enables Polygamy Court Challenge as well as 'Civil Union' Joins a Man & Two Women in Brazil
-- From "Polyamory – an Anti-Scarcity Relationship Model for the Future" by Melanie Swan, posted at Institute for Emerging Ethics & Technologies 2/18/13
The first International Academic Polyamory Conference was held in Berkeley CA February 15-17, 2013 with approximately 100 attendees. Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. It is not new or revolutionary that individuals may be involved with more than one other party; what is new is the openness, acknowledgement, and support and encouragement of the situation.
A number of academic studies were presented by researchers from around the world regarding the practice of polyamory. Polyamory is a niche, but increasingly becoming a defined field of sociology research. Theory papers and discussion drew on social movement theory, queer theory, intimacy theory, performance theory, and other aspects of philosophy and sociology. Other conference tracks discussed public education, experiential aspects, and legal and political issues. Some common themes were the notion of plurality and choice in relationship models and a superior level of communications mastery and emotional intelligence.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "New Sexual Revolution: Polyamory May Be Good for You" by Stephanie Pappas and LiveScience 2/14/13
. . . an estimated 4 to 5 percent of Americans are looking outside their relationship for love and sex — with their partner's full permission.
These consensually nonmonogamous relationships, as they're called, don't conform to the cultural norm of a handholding couple in love for life. They come in a dizzying array of forms, from occasional "swinging" and open relationships to long-term commitments among multiple people. Now, social scientists embarking on brand-new research into these types of relationships are finding that they may challenge the ways we think of jealousy, commitment and love. They may even change monogamy for the better.
The study of consensual nonmonogamy is a relatively new field. In the 1970s, partner-swapping and swinging (recreational sex outside of a relationship) came into the public eye, and psychologists conducted a few studies. But that research was limited to mostly white, heterosexual couples who engaged in swinging for fun, according to Elisabeth Sheff, a legal consultant and former Georgia State University professor, writing in 2011 in the Journal of Contemporary Ethnography.
While there are no national statistics on consensual nonmonogamy, University of Michigan psychologist Terri Conley has estimated that about 5 percent of Americans are in one of these types of relationships at any given time. From the little data collected, scientists know lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals are slightly more likely than heterosexuals to enter nonmonogamous relationships, said Amy Moors, a graduate student in Conley's lab. So, it seems, are people high in the personality trait of openness, which indicates high interest in new experiences.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "5 Myths About Polyamory" by Stephanie Pappas, LiveScience Senior Writer 2/14/13
Myth #1: Poly people are unsatisfied
When someone goes outside a relationship looking for companionship or sex, it's natural to assume there's something missing from their romance. But that doesn't appear to be the case for polyamorous individuals. . . .
Myth #2: Polyamorous people are still paired up
Many polyamorous people do form relationships that orbit around a committed couple, with each person having relationships on the side. But the primary partner/secondary partner model is an oversimplification for many poly relationships, said Bjarne Holmes, a psychologist at Champlain College in Vermont. . . .
Myth #3: Polyamory is a way to avoid commitment
. . . Joining a polyamorous relationship and thinking it's going to be a commitment-free breeze would likely be a huge mistake. . . .
Myth #4: Polyamory is exhausting
. . . Polyamorous people report feeling energized by their multiple relationships and say that good feelings in one translate to good feelings in others. . . .
Myth #5: Polyamory is bad for the kids
One big question about polyamory is how it affects families with children. The answer to that is not entirely clear — there have been no large-scale, long-term studies on the outcomes of kids growing up with polyamorous parents. . . .
Some teens indicated that they'd consider polyamory for themselves; others weren't interested at all.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
For related articles, click headlines below:
Family Demise; 1/3 of Households are People Alone
Cohabitation Soars, Children Suffer: Study
American Trend: Fewer Children, More Animals/Pets
Obamanation: Secularized Like Europe, Spiritualized Like Oprah
ABC News 20/20: April 20, 2012 "Two Marriages, Many Lovers" (video)
To view the entire ABC News 20/20 episode (4/20/12) "Strange Arrangements: The New Sex," CLICK HERE.
