Polyamory as an Ethical Alternative to Infidelity

Abstract

Most of the population would agree that true love is the key to a happy life. Long-term dyadic monogamy, defined as the prototypically between a man and woman, and sanctioned through marriage, is the dominant index for how most Americans experience and authenticate their relationships. In the United States, Heteronormativity, or the belief that two-parent households are the default, preferred, or normal mode of sexual orientation. Further, into adulthood, this concept becomes a key goal or achievement to have lived a satisfied and accomplished life, and the infidelity of a loved one to be of utmost betrayal. Although this review will not be for or against the concept of marriage, it will acknowledge the marriage and divorce rates and the factors behind those changes. This review's purpose is to introduce ideas related to monogamy, sexual jealousy, and their relation to sexual and relationship satisfaction. If it is so hard for humans to be monogamous, why do most of us around the world make it one of the most central goals of our lives? Furthermore, the impact infidelity has on these types of relationships. According to Fincham and May (2017), the scope of infidelity extends beyond the realm of marriage, with persons in casual and dating relationships reporting higher rates of infidelity than married persons.