Polyamorous relationships, are they damaging to society?

[Celritannia]

Can someone really point to a social good that comes out of polygamy/polyamory?

Also, can someone point to a meaningful difference between polygamy and polyamory?

I understand everyone has strong opinions regarding both, but the topic is whether or not, at the social level, they would do more harm than good, if I understand the OP correctly, not whether or not we should allow them per se.

ITts somewhat both so it's okay.

Also, read the OPS, the general description of the 2 is there.

Also, there is no real good or bad of polyamory in society. It's more of "do what feels right" according to this article:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog ... -polyamory

[Grenartia]

It specifically focuses on a few, hand-picked special cases to attempt to paint the entire concept as inherently flawed (and even dangerous).

How many cases do you need to establish a trend?

Definitely more than what has been presented thus far. You need to isolate every other variable. That has not been done. Far from it.

[Luminesa]

*Points to Sister Wives.*

...Jesus Christ, that's an actual show? What the fuck.

Yuuuuuuup. Also has faced legal trouble several times over. You’re welcome for the cringe.

[Celritannia]

I'm not the one making a positive claim. The burden of proof falls on them to show that polyamory is bad, not on me to disprove that claim.

We literally gave you links to research showing that polygamy is bad and all you could do is claim that they must be full of bullshit.

Polygamy, not polyamory.

[The South Falls]

I don't like the idea of it, nor would I ever engage in that sort of relationship, but if people really want to, who am I to stop them?

I think the main issue I have is with actual polygamists who may or may not coerce multiple people into marriage (think the hardcore LDS sects in places like Colorado City). That can be problematic from an ethical and legal standpoint. There is a hugeline between relationships where non-monogamy is encouraged and marriages that involve people accruing a number of wives, often in an unethical and terrible fashion.

*Points to Sister Wives.*

That and the God Warrior episode of trading spouses makes up some of the worst TV I have ever watched.

[Galloism]

*Points to Sister Wives.*

...Jesus Christ, that's an actual show? What the fuck.

Yes.

It’s actually a horrible show. And they actually refer to each other as “sister-wife”. It’s like a train wreck. You don’t really want to see, but you can’t look away.

[Celritannia]

...Jesus Christ, that's an actual show? What the fuck.

Yuuuuuuup. Also has faced legal trouble several times over. You’re welcome for the cringe.

Jesus camp gave me too much cringe, don't think I could do another documentary like that.

[Washington Resistance Army]

We literally gave you links to research showing that polygamy is bad and all you could do is claim that they must be full of bullshit.

Polygamy, not polyamory.

As has been explained to you multiple times there's functionally no difference. As Gallo has said, if you take polygamy and remove all the paperwork it's indistinguishable from polyamory.

[Grenartia]

I do find "they have all the women" to be a weak argument to be against polyamory.

im cackling
an incel will be an incel, no matter what types of relationships are common.

If anything, mass acceptance of polyamory would be beneficial to incels (assuming they're not total shitbags that nobody in their right mind would want to date), since it would give them more potential dating partners.

[Galloism]

How many cases do you need to establish a trend?

Definitely more than what has been presented thus far. You need to isolate every other variable. That has not been done. Far from it.

I’m glad we’ve eliminated every possible societal harm ever now, given we can never completely isolate every other variable.

I say free howitzers for all.

[Stagnant Axon Terminal]

Can someone really point to a social good that comes out of polygamy/polyamory?

Also, can someone point to a meaningful difference between polygamy and polyamory?

I understand everyone has strong opinions regarding both, but the topic is whether or not, at the social level, they would do more harm than good, if I understand the OP correctly, not whether or not we should allow them per se.

If people are more open to the concept of ethical non-monogamy, there could very well be less instances of cheating, divorce, etc. Getting rid of the expectation of rigid "two people fall in exclusive romantic love and get married" and letting people develop natural, fluid relationships without stigma can do a lot of good.

[Atlacatl Batallion]

Can someone really point to a social good that comes out of polygamy/polyamory?

Also, can someone point to a meaningful difference between polygamy and polyamory?

I understand everyone has strong opinions regarding both, but the topic is whether or not, at the social level, they would do more harm than good, if I understand the OP correctly, not whether or not we should allow them per se.

ITts somewhat both so it's okay.

Also, read the OPS, the general description of the 2 is there.

Also, there is no real good or bad of polyamory in society. It's more of "do what feels right" according to this article:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog ... -polyamory

Mind, that particular article is about personal relationships, not its effects on society as a whole, or on a historical trend. I didn't ask for a personal good that comes out of these relationships. I asked for a social good that comes out of them. So again, can you point to a social good that comes out of polygamous/polyamorous relationships?

I know the definitions of both, but to me polyamory is just polygamy but with sentiments attached. Far as I am concerned there is no meaningful difference between polygamy and polyamory since sex and love are almost the same on normal relationships. So I ask, is there really a meaningful difference?

[Salandriagado]

*Raises the "relationship anarchist" flag*

I have relationships with a great number of people, of varying degrees of closeness, from "nod at them when I pass on the street" all the way on up through the spectrum of relationships. I see no particular reason to draw a line around some relationships and call them somehow fundamentally different to the others, and especially no particular reason to insist that there should always be exactly one relationship inside that line.

[Luminesa]

im cackling
an incel will be an incel, no matter what types of relationships are common.

If anything, mass acceptance of polyamory would be beneficial to incels (assuming they're not total shitbags that nobody in their right mind would want to date), since it would give them more potential dating partners.

Incels want control, and they want their partners to be essentially he accessories. So yes! Giving them multiple girls to abuse and belittle seems like a perfect idea!/s

[US-SSR]

Can someone really point to a social good that comes out of polygamy/polyamory?

Also, can someone point to a meaningful difference between polygamy and polyamory?

I understand everyone has strong opinions regarding both, but the topic is whether or not, at the social level, they would do more harm than good, if I understand the OP correctly, not whether or not we should allow them per se.

1. People being accepted for who they are regardless of what kind of amorous relationships they choose to enter into.

2. Polygamy is one man taking multiple female partners. Polyamory is any number of individuals entering into an amorous relationship regardless of gender identity.

Got it? Good.

[Grenartia]

im cackling
an incel will be an incel, no matter what types of relationships are common.

yes, but it seems like common sense to want there to be as few incels as possible

I mean, if we go with this logic, LGBT+ acceptance drives up instances of inceldom and is therefore, bad. Maybe the problem causing incels isn't the sexual and romantic practices of other people, but the incels themselves.

[Celritannia]

ITts somewhat both so it's okay.

Also, read the OPS, the general description of the 2 is there.

Also, there is no real good or bad of polyamory in society. It's more of "do what feels right" according to this article:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog ... -polyamory

Mind, that particular article is about personal relationships, not its effects on society as a whole, or on a historical trend. I didn't ask for a personal good that comes out of these relationships. I asked for a social good that comes out of them. So again, can you point to a social good that comes out of polygamous/polyamorous relationships?

I know the definitions of both, but to me polyamory is just polygamy but with sentiments attached. Far as I am concerned there is no meaningful difference between polygamy and polyamory since sex and love are almost the same on normal relationships. So I ask, is there really a meaningful difference?

One can ask the same for gay couples. The answer is personal lives help society if they are healthy.

[Luminesa]

*Points to Sister Wives.*

That and the God Warrior episode of trading spouses makes up some of the worst TV I have ever watched.

At least the God Warrior gave us some good memes. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.

[Stagnant Axon Terminal]

yes, but it seems like common sense to want there to be as few incels as possible

I mean, if we go with this logic, LGBT+ acceptance drives up instances of inceldom and is therefore, bad. Maybe the problem causing incels isn't the sexual and romantic practices of other people, but the incels themselves.

ding ding ding
lack of relationship doesn't cause incelness
incelness causes lack of relationship

[Atlacatl Batallion]

Can someone really point to a social good that comes out of polygamy/polyamory?

Also, can someone point to a meaningful difference between polygamy and polyamory?

I understand everyone has strong opinions regarding both, but the topic is whether or not, at the social level, they would do more harm than good, if I understand the OP correctly, not whether or not we should allow them per se.

If people are more open to the concept of ethical non-monogamy, there could very well be less instances of cheating, divorce, etc. Getting rid of the expectation of rigid "two people fall in exclusive romantic love and get married" and letting people develop natural, fluid relationships without stigma can do a lot of good.

I have qualms with your use of "ethical".

What is an ethical relationship, exactly? And how do you define an ethical non-monogamous relationship?

Also, based on the answer to the questions above, what makes your definition of an ethical non-monogamous relationship better than, say, the definition other non-monogamous societies and religious groups have used in the past?

[Italios]

im cackling
an incel will be an incel, no matter what types of relationships are common.

If anything, mass acceptance of polyamory would be beneficial to incels (assuming they're not total shitbags that nobody in their right mind would want to date), since it would give them more potential dating partners.

no it fucking wouldn't, u are delusional if you think that. in polygamous societies (ie societies with LEGAL polyamory), it results in high-status males with financial stability and high educational attainment entering partnerships with a high proportion of women from all social classes. as a result, the pool of potential wives and girlfriends for low-status men is lower, and they have even less access to a sexual/romantic relationship. you can deny this all you want, but once you do, you will at least be admitting you have no understanding of human sexual behavior, and we can ignore you then.

[Cekoviu]

I mean, if we go with this logic, LGBT+ acceptance drives up instances of inceldom and is therefore, bad. Maybe the problem causing incels isn't the sexual and romantic practices of other people, but the incels themselves.

ding ding ding
lack of relationship doesn't cause incelness
incelness causes lack of relationship

orrrr maybe psychology is more complex than that and there's some sort of feedback loop going on :thinking:

[Nap the Magnificent]

We literally gave you links to research showing that polygamy is bad and all you could do is claim that they must be full of bullshit.

Polygamy, not polyamory.

I would like to provide a rundown of the events leading up.
GVH: I would also allow polygamy because I don't think it's bad either
Me: Actually, polygamy has been shown to have a number of bad effects
US-SR+Gren: Provide proofs
Me: k *provides evidence from studies investigating cultures where polygamy is practiced vs monogamous ones*
US-SR+Gren: This is bullshit! This isn't true! This says nothing about polyamory
Me: I was addressing the point about polygamy tho

[Stagnant Axon Terminal]

If people are more open to the concept of ethical non-monogamy, there could very well be less instances of cheating, divorce, etc. Getting rid of the expectation of rigid "two people fall in exclusive romantic love and get married" and letting people develop natural, fluid relationships without stigma can do a lot of good.

I have qualms with your use of "ethical".

What is an ethical relationship, exactly? And how do you define an ethical non-monogamous relationship?

Also, based on the answer to the questions above, what makes your definition of an ethical non-monogamous relationship better than, say, the definition other non-monogamous societies and religious groups have used in the past?

Do u need me 2 define ethical 2 u

[Salandriagado]

To repost what I said on RWDT about this; I know from personal experience that people can be tricked into such relationships at a time of emotional vulnerability - people make out that they're interested in a relationship and then once you've gone far enough to get invested they drop in that lol you have to share. Similarly if normalised you have cheaters trying the "muh identity, stop oppressing me!" line to gaslight people. I have seen several such relationships where the people involved plainly shouldn't have been in them. They also tend to destruct very explosively, and because of the "web" loads of people get dragged into it.

It should not get formal recognition. Normalising it would facilitate too much exploitation and abuse. The existing situation where it is marginal and not widely recognised is sufficient - there are social costs to adopting such forms so those who stick to it nevertheless will generally only be those very invested in it. Society needs to accept that there are exceptions to the normal ways of doing things, but they need to remain exceptions with generally lower status or more people will be hurt in the societal confusion.

Which part of this is not also true of monogamous relationships?