It’s the controversial relationship development that’s clocked greater than 12 million views on TikTok and is supported by virtually half of relationship app customers.
So what’s all of the fuss about moral non-monogamy?
Common Australian influencer and media character Abbie Chatfield made headlines earlier this 12 months when she revealed she was in an open relationship with then-boyfriend Konrad Bien-Stephen.
Now, the development is sweeping relationship apps.
Based on latest information from Bumble, 47 per cent of these presently relationship imagine moral non-monogamous relationships are the best way of the longer term, with Gen Z main the cost.
Hinge has even added a brand new characteristic to customers’ profiles the place they’ll specify their desired relationship sort, comparable to monogamous, non-monogamous or not sure.
Moral non-monogamy is broadly outlined because the potential to have a number of romantic or intimate relationships, various from one-off encounters to ongoing romances, with the total consent and consciousness of all individuals concerned.
It’s a banner time period typically used interchangeably with open relationships, although boundaries will fluctuate between {couples} and people.
Perth sexologist Chelsea Liley stated she has seen an increase in individuals practising moral non-monogamy in her scientific work with the Australian Institute of Sexology and Sexual Drugs.
She stated the youthful technology was extra open than ever to approaching relationships in a different way, however it might nonetheless not be broadly accepted.
“I feel there’s nonetheless a variety of disgrace for having an open relationship or practising some sort of non-monogamy,” Liley stated.
“You’re going in opposition to a norm and difficult a variety of views which might be held by wider society, and that may be actually laborious.”
Liley cites the instance of Chatfield, who confronted swift backlash when she revealed she and Bien-Stephen had an settlement the place they might sleep with different individuals.
Chatfield first shared the information on her podcast It’s A Lot, and later addressed the trolling she had acquired in consequence on her Instagram tales.
“A few of you f…ers are so embarrassingly triggered since you’re so insecure,” she stated.
“…It’s fantastic, if that’s how you’re feeling, be monogamous, love that for you. However why do you care if I f… another person or he f…s another person?”
Whereas the hashtag #Ethicalnonmonogamy has gone viral on TikTok, racking up greater than 12.7m views globally, open relationships aren’t precisely a brand new idea.
Loads of celebrities have lengthy been rumoured to have such agreements with their companions, together with former {couples} Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore and Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith have stated they get pleasure from “freedom” of their relationship, however stopped in need of describing it as “open”, whereas hitmaker Lizzo, actress Scarlett Johansson and even Dolly Parton have given quotes to recommend they don’t imagine in monogamy.
And till their latest divorce following 11 years of marriage, fantasy author Neil Gaiman and singer Amanda Palmer have been famously candid about their non-monogamous association.
Sexologist Liley, who’s herself non-monogamous, stated she needs to interrupt down taboos round unconventional relationship dynamics.
However she cautioned they nonetheless should be approached with care.
“Whereas these relationships can work, they’ll additionally break down the identical as monogamous relationships,” Liley stated. “And there can nonetheless be dishonest inside non-monogamous relationships, it simply seems somewhat bit totally different.
“Non-monogamy will look actually totally different to each single relationship and particular person. It’s not about utilizing it as an excuse to exit and get your rocks off with anybody; as a substitute it’s about connection.”
Liley added clear communication and limits have been paramount when pursuing an open relationship.