5 Things People Get Wrong About Non-Monogamy

Jonathan Knowles via Getty Images Non-monogamy is an umbrella term that encompasses various relationship styles that are not sexually and/or romantically exclusive between two people. Sarah Stroh, a non-monogamous writer and creator behind the @monogamish_me Instagram account, described it to HuffPost as: “Any relationship structure that is consensually and openly non-monogamous, meaning either — or more likely both — partners in a couple have romantic and/or sexual contact with people other than each other.” You may have come across the term “ethical non-monogamy,” sometimes referred to as “ENM.” The word “ethical” has been used to differentiate these kinds of relationships — where all parties have talked about and agreed to the arrangement — from ones where cheating is happening. You can absolutely still be a piece of shit even when practicing ENM.” Instead, many people prefer terms like “consensual non-monogamy” or just “non-monogamy.” There are four main types of non-monogamous relationships. While there still may be some hierarchy within certain polyamorous relationships, “it’s the one type where there isn’t necessarily a focus on a primary romantic relationship,” Yau said. “But that’s not the majority of folks who are ENM.” In fact, if your relationship is in a bad place, introducing non-monogamy is probably only going to make matters worse, Yau said.