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highbarebot

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Open Relations … now thats an interesting concept that I am trying to understand off late, especially after meeting someone who is (or claims to be) in one.

What exactly is Open Relationship ?

1) There is some degree of commitment, yet no issues if I screw around

2) I live with you, take care of you, and get the same in return… and yet there is no legal binding for the same … so can move out any time …

3) Maybe marriage is silly a term, our relationship is much deeper than that (what’s live-in then?)

4) Come on, lets not restrict ourselves

5)

6)

7)

You are most free to add up to my list. Interestingly, the concept is viewed differently in different societies. As I find many of my friends smirking at the thought, as for them it is nothing but an open license for adultery… many others are quite accepting of the fact that it is a good way of removing the restrictions that are otherwise set by the tradional boundaries of marriage.

But then again, how open is an open relationship?

Does it necessarily overcome some drawbacks of marriage (if any ?) or is just a plain fad of time? Long back I read an interview of the wife of an idustrialist who said that she thinks that if her husband maintains an occassional affair outside marriage, she is quite fine with it. As long as he comes back to her.

Point to be noted, and I have been sensing the same, that open relationship often tinkers the message of an affair, or sex, or date… but never does it talk about companionship. I am not very sure, but shouldn’t that also be considered. If that exists, that is…

But the open relationship concept probably works best when their exists a equivalent amount of maturity and sense of security in the two minds. Else the mix could be explosive. Think of the possibility. And of the possible harm. At one hand, it can make you reduce the tension of commitment, and yet could bring about more than asked for.

But somewhere in the whole argument, I am thinking, dont we still have the sense of responsibility and commitment existing in our daily relationships. After all, even as friends, we are bound by unwritten laws laid down by the heart. Wouldn’t it be weird, if we had open friendship, whatever that would be like. Whatever, maybe the definition implies a deeper definition. Maybe society demands for it from a high profile couple, or boredom and the daily routine desires a change, or the basic nature compels to look out, or just too free a nature prevails.

But at the end of the day, a relationship of some sort exists.

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    As a student of biology,  I know it to be true that we, as biological organisms are not designed or wired for monogamy.  It is natural instinct for one simple reason, propagation of the species and its the same for almost all living creature.  And I know...gay men can't procreate...but our evolutionary mind doesn't understand that.  All it understands is whats kept it alive, surviving,  and evolving for hundreds of thousands of years..and that is (and this is not the exact scientific terminology, btw...)  "I need to come as much as possible on as many people as possible as many times as possible in order to keep shit going"...thats it.  Gay or straight.  And thats just the cliff notes version..there is actually much, much more to it than simply that.

    Monogamy is kinda like Bigfoot...some people claim to have seen it but I still don't believe in it.   It was created by man, or rather the church, as another way to control man.  Monogamy is not the natural order.  

     My partner and i opened our relationship, as we knew we would someday,  and if anything its enhanced our relationship not the opposite.  I know most people in open relationships lay down a patchwork of rules to help in maintaining order.  And thats fine, they do what they need to do.  But in our case the rules are there are no rules. I feel thats when things get complicated.  When you start with the "You can do this but you can't do that, and I need a written request three days before that requires my approval but only if its notarized, but not on a leap year"- thats  when things get complicated, thats when you are setting yourself up for failure and disappointment.  The only parameter we have, if you can even call it that, is don't get romantic.  Just get in, get off, and get out.  Then we go home, tell each other all the details and fuck like sailors on shore leave.

     Also ,I don't know if you've ever heard of Dan Savage.  He is a very well known author, activist (It Gets Better Campaign, designed to help gay youth) and sex advice columnist.  I owe my life and my relationship to this man.  I read him everyday.  I highly recommend reading his column, listening to his podcast and reading his books.  He can explain it better than I ever could.

 

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