Monogamist vs Polyamorist: What Do These Terms Mean?

For most of us, having a relationship is having an intimate bond with one person. While not all relationships last for the rest of our lives, we do try our best to have one partner at a time. But this is not true for everyone. In face, some people are starting to accept the idea that just having a single partner or being a monogamist, might not be for them.

But how exactly did these concepts come about, and how do you know if you’re one or the other? Find out the answers to these questions and more, here.

What Is a Monogamist?

Being a monogamist is defined as a person who practices monogamy. This means that they only marry, or at least have, one partner at any given time. One benefit of monogamy is that it allows couples to take better care of their children. Having both parents means that children can be better protected, and their needs can be provided for¹.

Relationship-wise, monogamy makes people feel secure in their relationships. Though of course infidelity and “cheating” also does happen. This is also partly the reason why some people get married, in order to strengthen the bond between a couple.

Monogamists are also present in the animal kingdom, as some birds and mammals practice single-partner relationships. Though, compared to humans, monogamy is fairly rare among animals. Still, there is precedent for it.

Interestingly, humans haven’t always had monogamous relationships. In fact, there are still some cultures who practice the opposite, which is polyamory. Throughout history, there is documentation of numerous cultures practicing polyamory. One study found that in places where females are scarce, men tend to be more monogamous. On the other hand, in places where females are abundant, men tend to be polyamorous².

But what exactly does this mean?

What Is a Polyamorist?

Being a polyamorist means that a person has an intimate relationship with multiple partners. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a person is a polyamorist if they just sleep around or have multiple sexual partners. Polyamory involves having sexual and romantic relationships with multiple people.

While the idea of polyamory can still remain taboo in modern society, more and more people are surprisingly open to it, or are actively practicing polyamory. People in these type of relationships also report the same satisfaction, love, and attachment from monogamous relationships³.

Polyamorous relationships can be healthy, contrary to what some people might believe⁴. Polyamorists can also feel secure in their relationships, just like monogamists. However, it is important to know that these types of relationships are not for everyone.

Some people might just be cut out to be a monogamist, and should they try out polyamory, they might find that it’s not for them. Inversely, some polyamorists might have started out as a monogamist, but eventually realized that being in a monogamous relationship is not ideal.

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