The History of Polyamory

Polyamory, also known as “consensual non-monogamy” or “ethical non-monogamy”, is the practice of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the full knowledge and consent of all parties involved. The term “polyamory” describes both the philosophy of those who choose to live this way and the specific relationship structures that result from it.Polyamory is not a new concept; it has been practiced throughout history by many cultures around the world. The word itself is derived from the Greek roots “poly” (meaning “many”) and “amor” (meaning “love”).

The modern polyamory movement began in the 1970s with a group of people in California who were exploring alternative ways of relating to one another. They were influenced by the work of psychologist Wilhelm Reich, who believed that humans are naturally polygamous and that monogamy is a social construct.

The early polyamory community was heavily involved in the sexual revolution and the feminist movement. Polyamorous relationships were seen as a way to challenge traditional ideas about relationships and gender roles.

Since then, the polyamory community has grown and changed in many ways. There is no one “right” way to be polyamorous; each person or group creates their own unique structure based on their individual needs and desires.

Today, there are many different types of polyamorous relationships, from those that are based on primary and secondary partners to those that involve multiple partners of all genders. There are also polyamorous relationships that are not sexual in nature, but instead focus on emotional intimacy and support.

Polyamory is a rapidly growing movement, with more and more people exploring it as a viable option for themselves. If you’re curious about polyamory, there are many resources available to help you learn more about it. The Polyamory Society is a good place to start.

Polyamory Resources:

The Polyamory Society: https://polyamorysociety.com/

More Than Two: http://www.morethantwo.com/

Polyamory in the News: http://www.polyinthemedia.org/

Polyamory on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamory