Polyamory, if you break up the two parts of this word, is exactly what it sounds like. “Poly” means more than one, and “amour” means love. More than one love!
The less-enlightened may assume that polyamory simply means promiscuity, but that is hardly the case. Generally, these are like monogamous relationships, in the sense that you go on dates with someone you’re interested in and get along with, which may eventually lead to sleeping with that person.
The only difference is that, in poly-relationships, you do this with a number of people simultaneously. Christie explained to us that, like in monogamous relationships, things like communication and honesty still apply, and jealousy is just as much of a problem.
I really think polyamory is a form of radical love that is slowly, but surely, replacing the outdated hetero-normative kind. People are realizing that being forced into lifelong monogamy is not how many of us are hardwired. Why else are divorce rates at almost 50 percent? Why else is there so much cheating and heartbreak?
In the end, like all relationships, polyamorous ones are dealt with on an individual basis. Feel like only being with one person? Then do so. Feel like being with a few? Why not?
If we could all wrap our heads around this concept of love, I don’t think relationships would be such a crapshoot. Say you’re dating three people and one of them breaks up with you. Yes, it would hurt, but you would always have another person who is there for you.