A therapist impressed by poly culture

YourTango


This one gets my Show Your Parents tag.

"Some relationships have two partners, some have more. Which kind is right for you?"

The Big Difference Between Polyamory And Cheating

"My husband bought me a beautiful dress for my birthday and I went away for a trip to the mountains with my boyfriend," Tessa shared in one of our coaching sessions.

Tessa is not cheating. Her husband knows about her boyfriend, and her boyfriend knows about her husband. Tessa is polyamorous and among a growing population who are insightful and bold enough to live out what works for them: non-exclusive, committed relationships.

...When I mention that I have clients who are polyamorous, the reaction is usually one of surprise, and then the assumption that they must be emotionally damaged people in some way; they are unable to commit and a threat to other people's monogamous relationships.

By contrast, my polyamorous clients tend to be more honest about their needs and wants, having forged the challenging road to claim what truly works for them in a culture that is terrified of female sexuality and independence.

They have freed themselves from the potentially crippling expectations of society to create partnerships that are specific to them:

– These long-term relationships are based on ongoing open and authentic communication among all parties.
– They are loving and generous.
– They encourage autonomy and interdependence without ownership.
– They are more concerned with authenticity than exclusivity.

They recognize that we are all multi-faceted and that it's okay not to be all things to one person. The trust they develop is tested by the freedom they afford each other.

I am myself monogamous, knowing since childhood that I was seeking my soul mate and partner. Having found him, I am sated sexually and emotionally. Still, I find myself uplifted and heartened by my polyamorous sisters, proud of them for walking a path that is deeply counter-cultural in a historical moment that seems bent on controlling, restricting, and punishing women.

Ultimately, it is up to each of us to find out what works for us, whether it adheres to our cultural norms or not. By probing our own souls and living from our truths, we create lives we are thrilled to be living, in a world that desperately needs us to shine our lights.

Here's the original (undated).

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