Beyond the Dyad: a Review of the Novel Insights Gained From Studying Consensual Non-monogamy
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FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND DISORDERS (A STANTON & T LORENZ, SECTION EDITORS)
Beyond the Dyad: a Review of the Novel Insights Gained From Studying Consensual Non-monogamy Rhonda N. Balzarini 1 & Amy Muise 2 Accepted: 5 November 2020 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to highlight the major advancements in our understanding of consensually nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships—or intimate relationships between three or more people who are non-exclusive sexually and/ or emotionally. We aim to review key insights from research on the benefits (i.e., diversification of need fulfillment) and challenges (i.e., continued stigma) of CNM relationships and how research on CNM highlights some limitations of the existing theories of relationships. Recent Findings The last two decades have seen a trend towards increasing diversity of family structures. Although monogamy remains the most common relationship structure, CNM relationships are increasing in prevalence and in interest to both lay people and researchers. Recent research has begun to uncover novel insights into who is more likely to be drawn to and engage in CNM, how CNM relationships compare to monogamous relationships, and the potential benefits and challenges of engaging in CNM relationships. Summary While people in CNM relationships still experience stigma, for those who desire such relationships, CNM can be a viable and healthy alternative to monogamy, and may even help people meet more of their needs through diversifying need fulfillment across multiple partners. Despite this, many existing relationship theories are not inclusive of CNM relationship experiences and aspects of existing theories of positive relationships and sexuality may not extend to people in CNM relationships. Moving forward it is important to consider whether our concepts and measures are inclusive to people in diverse relationships, including those in CNM relationships. Keywords Consensual non-monogamy . Romantic relationships . Sexuality . Need fulfillment . Relationship quality . Stigma
The last two decades have seen rapid changes in Western families, with a trend towards increasing diversity of family structures. Longer life spans [1], along with increases in inter-racial, inter-religious, and same-sex marriages [2], and steep fertility declines [3, 4] are only a few of the social trends that are increasing the diversity of families and relationships. However, the nuclear monogamous family remains a powerful normative ideal in much of
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Female Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders * Rhonda N. Balzarini [email protected]; [email protected] 1
Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
2
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
the Western world [5, 6], and people who do not follow this pattern may be considered deviant or not even families at all [7, 8]. While monogamy remains the most common roma
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