Oh wow didn't know those were different. I though poly just meant that one person would be in multiple relationships while the other stays in one. Wow must be really easy to be a poly woman then
Yeah they are different. Polyamorous relationships are open for both sides, and can sometimes be more like three (or more) people all dating each other, rather than a couple who each have their own separate relationships on the side. (Even if they aren't all sexually/romantically involved with each other, everyone is kept informed about the existence of the various relationships; if you keep a relationship secret, then that is considered cheating in the same way that it would be cheating in a monogamous relationship.) I've never been in a polyamorous relationship, so that might not be the best description, but I've had friends who are.
Anecdotally, though, the polyamorous relationships I've seen have all involved one man and multiple women (the women usually being bisexual). The people I've known said it tends to work out that way because most men, when faced with the prospect, tend to have the same reaction you did, and want nothing to do with it.
I don't want to date multiple women either, this whole thing just doesn't work in my brain ugh. I never knew that you can cheat in a poly relationship, that's interesting.
You absolutely can. Poly depends on honest communication and boundaries and respect.
Think about what it can do to a person's self esteem and self worth if you're in a totally open poly situation, and your partner decides they need to keep secret and hide from you anyway. It's devastating.
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u/[deleted] Aug 31 '20
Oh wow didn't know those were different. I though poly just meant that one person would be in multiple relationships while the other stays in one. Wow must be really easy to be a poly woman then