NationStates

So this topic was being debated heavily in the RWDT, and I thought I would establish a thread for itself.

Now, polyamrous relationships are still a pretty new concept to most people, and is defined as thus:

[I]s the practice of, or desire for, intimate relationships with more than one partner, with the informed consent of all partners involved.[1][2] It has been described as "consensual, ethical, and responsible non-monogamy"

For more of a basic overview, see the wikipage.

Now, this is far different from the concept of Polygamy, which is described as thus:

[I]s the practice of marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at a time, sociologists call this polygyny. When a woman is married to more than one husband at a time, it is called polyandry. If a marriage includes multiple husbands and wives, it can be called a group marriage.

Again, the wikipage for a more basic overview.

From these two definitions alone, they are different. They are not the same in anyway.

But here is my question. Are polyamorous relationships a problem? Do they cause problems for society? OR are they just like any other relationship?

My views is that polyamorous relationships are like any other relationship. They'll have their ups and downs, good times and bad, but they are not a danger to anyone.

So NSG, what's your view on polyamorous relationships?

Diopolis wrote:

Celritannia wrote:
But they do exist.

Reject them all you want, but trying to stop them from happening is stupid.

Egalitarian relationships are a modern contrivance which likes to call itself that. But taking the polyandrous example of the whatever the term is(orgy? agglomeration?) in the news article about polyamorous child abuse, that's not described as an egalitarian relationship. The woman is the hub, and the men are the spokes. So that sounds more like matriarchy than egalitarianism.
In the real world all relationships are inherently hierarchical. Saying "well when we have egalitarian relationships we won't need social norms for relationship exclusivity"(the actual content of pro-poly args) is like saying "when the state gradually withers away into a classless currencyless society, everybody will be perfectly provided for".

One article does not mean all polyamorous relationships are like that.

Neither do all polyamorous relationships act alike that.

Do all monogamous relationships happen to be the same? No.

No, not all relationships are hierarchical.

So really, you dislike them except out of spite?

In the macro sense, if broadly adopted, yes. It creates major inequities in society that monogamy helps address if your death rate (of men especially) is low. You can see its effects throughout history.

But there’s an overriding principle here. Individual rights matter, even if they collectively harm society. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to tell someone they can’t be with the multiple people they love.

I think it should be broadly discouraged, but never prohibited.

I agree with the OP (and now feel distinctly unnerved.)

They're fine. If everyone is consenting, love who you love. The same goes for Polygamy, I gnow a group of 4 people who are all in a relationship with each other. I honestly feel that if society would allow them to marry no harm would be done, because they're amongst the most happy and loving people with each other I've ever met.

Greater vakolicci haven wrote:I agree with the OP (and now feel distinctly unnerved.)

They're fine. If everyone is consenting, love who you love. The same goes for Polygamy, I gnow a group of 4 people who are all in a relationship with each other. I honestly feel that if society would allow them to marry no harm would be done, because they're amongst the most happy and loving people with each other I've ever met.

Gods, I have found something I agree with GVH, what is the world coming to?

Galloism wrote:In the macro sense, if broadly adopted, yes. It creates major inequities in society that monogamy helps address if your death rate (of men especially) is low. You can see its effects throughout history.

But there’s an overriding principle here. Individual rights matter, even if they collectively harm society. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to tell someone they can’t be with the multiple people they love.

I think it should be broadly discouraged, but never prohibited.

Society 'discouraging' something is how you end up with section 28-level bollocks. As long as everyone is consenting, and they are happy in the relationship, I see no reason to discourage it. After all, homosexuality could be argued to be damaging to society on a macro scale as it reduces the amount of available reproductive participants. We don't make that argument or discourage homosexuality though, because to do so would be denying people their right to sexual equality. I see this as a similar example.

My same view when it comes to everything outside of Traditional Marriage: I don't support it, but I likely cannot do anything about it.

This is certainly a controversial topic I do not think Polygamy is damaging to society but they can be dangerous due to jealousy because there are bound to be some favorites

No. [/thread]

Yes, they are damaging to society and should not be normalized or even legal.

Somerania wrote:This is certainly a controversial topic I do not think Polygamy is damaging to society but they can be dangerous due to jealousy because there are bound to be some favorites

Again, as I stated in the OP, polygamy is not the same as polyamory.

Greater vakolicci haven wrote:

Galloism wrote:In the macro sense, if broadly adopted, yes. It creates major inequities in society that monogamy helps address if your death rate (of men especially) is low. You can see its effects throughout history.

But there’s an overriding principle here. Individual rights matter, even if they collectively harm society. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to tell someone they can’t be with the multiple people they love.

I think it should be broadly discouraged, but never prohibited.

Society 'discouraging' something is how you end up with section 28-level bollocks. As long as everyone is consenting, and they are happy in the relationship, I see no reason to discourage it. After all, homosexuality could be argued to be damaging to society on a macro scale as it reduces the amount of available reproductive participants. We don't make that argument or discourage homosexuality though, because to do so would be denying people their right to sexual equality. I see this as a similar example.

Section 28?

Cekoviu wrote:Yes, they are damaging to society and should not be normalized or even legal.

How are they damaging besides group of people being jealous of the relationship?

Also, while Polygamy is illegal, polyamory is not

Cekoviu wrote:Yes, they are damaging to society and should not be normalized or even legal.

Winner winner chicken dinner

No. Next case.

Celritannia wrote:

Somerania wrote:This is certainly a controversial topic I do not think Polygamy is damaging to society but they can be dangerous due to jealousy because there are bound to be some favorites

Again, as I stated in the OP, polygamy is not the same as polyamory.

People can do whatever they want as long as everyone is happy

Celritannia wrote:

Somerania wrote:This is certainly a controversial topic I do not think Polygamy is damaging to society but they can be dangerous due to jealousy because there are bound to be some favorites

Again, as I stated in the OP, polygamy is not the same as polyamory.

Polyamory is polygamy without paperwork.

There's nothing wrong with polyamory.

Greater vakolicci haven wrote:I agree with the OP (and now feel distinctly unnerved.)

They're fine. If everyone is consenting, love who you love. The same goes for Polygamy, I gnow a group of 4 people who are all in a relationship with each other. I honestly feel that if society would allow them to marry no harm would be done, because they're amongst the most happy and loving people with each other I've ever met.

Polygamy is actually quite damaging to societies and increases the level of a number of really bad social ills (murder, rape, etc).

Somerania wrote:This is certainly a controversial topic I do not think Polygamy is damaging to society but they can be dangerous due to jealousy because there are bound to be some favorites

The jealousy and favoritism aren't inherent to polyamory. Like, poly isn't for everyone. But neither is monogamy.

Cekoviu wrote:Yes, they are damaging to society and should not be normalized or even legal.

What the fuck?

Galloism wrote:

Celritannia wrote:
Again, as I stated in the OP, polygamy is not the same as polyamory.

Polyamory is polygamy without paperwork.

Polyamory is a loving relationship with everyone being in a relationship.

Polygamy is one person being in a relationship with multiple people, but not everyone being in a relationship.

Nap the Magnificent wrote:

Greater vakolicci haven wrote:I agree with the OP (and now feel distinctly unnerved.)

They're fine. If everyone is consenting, love who you love. The same goes for Polygamy, I gnow a group of 4 people who are all in a relationship with each other. I honestly feel that if society would allow them to marry no harm would be done, because they're amongst the most happy and loving people with each other I've ever met.

Polygamy is actually quite damaging to societies and increases the level of a number of really bad social ills (murder, rape, etc).

Polygamy IS NOT Polyamory.

Galloism wrote:

Greater vakolicci haven wrote:Society 'discouraging' something is how you end up with section 28-level bollocks. As long as everyone is consenting, and they are happy in the relationship, I see no reason to discourage it. After all, homosexuality could be argued to be damaging to society on a macro scale as it reduces the amount of available reproductive participants. We don't make that argument or discourage homosexuality though, because to do so would be denying people their right to sexual equality. I see this as a similar example.

Section 28?

It was a law in the UK that prevented teachers from educating about or 'normalising' homosexuality. That's the sort of crap that happens when a sexual orientation is 'discouraged.'

Celritannia wrote:

Galloism wrote:Polyamory is polygamy without paperwork.

Polyamory is a loving relationship with everyone being in a relationship.

Polygamy is one person being in a relationship with multiple people, but not everyone being in a relationship.

Incorrect - polygamy also encompasses everyone being in a relationship with each other, with legal paperwork.

You own link refers to group marriage, which is one type of such construction.

Dont agree with them nor have any interest in them myself but no i dont think they are damaging to society.