Polyamory vs Monogamy: Addressing Jealousy Head-On
Are you interested in exploring new paths of love, but feel hesitant to try out polyamory? Or are you content with monogamy, but struggle with feelings of jealousy? Whichever category you fall into, this article is aimed at completely dissecting and comparing these two types of relationships. We’ll touch on the importance of addressing jealousy, and how both polyamory and monogamy deal with it.
The Basics: Polyamory & Monogamy
🤝 Polyamory
Polyamory is an umbrella term used to describe relationships where there are more than two partners involved, with a sense of openness and honesty between all parties. The concept of polyamory emphasizes the importance of trust, communication, and respect among multiple partners. Each relationship dynamic in a polyamorous union can vary, and ultimately the goal is for all partners involved to be happy, content and fulfilled.
🌈 Polyamorous relationships can take many forms, including triads, quads, and hierarchical dynamics. Whatever the means, the key is equal care and respect for all partners involved.
💑 Monogamy
Monogamy is the type of relationship where two people are emotionally committed to each other, restricting any outside romantic relationships from developing. Marriage is the ultimate expression of monogomy, but the concept applies to any relationship that’s committed to one partner.
🔒 Monogamous relationships are focused on building a life together with emotional support, sharing a sense of trust, and respect for each other.
Addressing Jealousy: The Good & The Bad
💔 The Dark Side of Jealousy
Jealousy is a natural emotion that creeps in whenever we feel threatened or abandoned by someone we care for. Strong feelings of jealousy towards your partner’s relationships with others can quickly spiral out of control and manifest into an unhealthy possessiveness.
👎 The biggest challenge with jealousy is that it can lead to manipulation, sabotaging each other’s happiness and a potentially harmful end to a previously healthy relationship.
💓 Overcoming with Love
One of the most important aspects of polyamory is understanding the ethos of love and compassion in every direction. Openness, honesty, and clear communication are key to keeping jealousy in check.
🤗 Through ongoing discussions and consent between all parties, polyamory can help overcome feelings of jealousy and work towards solutions that are agreeable to everyone involved. It’s all about creating trust and transparency to create a supportive and loving environment.
🤝 Likewise, monogamous relationships can overcome jealousy by talking openly about feelings. Building trust and being emotionally vulnerable can go a long way to address each other’s insecurities and make room for growth and happiness.
The Final Verdict
The choice between monogamy and polyamory depends on several factors such as lifestyle, beliefs, and sexual orientation. One of the most eye-opening aspects of comparing these relationships is realizing that jealousy can affect both types of relationships, and the end goal of dealing with emotions is the same.
💥 If you’re considering polyamory, make sure you take a deep dive to understand how it works and communicate with your partners about how you feel. Remember, the key is always consent, respect, and transparency.
💕 Likewise, if you’re in a monogamous relationship, any feelings of jealousy need to be dealt with openly and compassionately. It’s not always about conversion to being polyamorous but about being supportive and understanding towards each other.
Our emotional lives are constructed differently, and what works for one couple might not work for another. But regardless of the route you choose to go down, addressing jealousy (head-on) is of utmost importance. It’s always about mutual respect, honesty, and care towards each other, no matter what format you choose! ❤️