I have a blog post on what modern polygamy does or might look like that some here may find of interest:
http://daviddfriedman.blogspot.com/2014/05/what-woulddoes-modern-polygamy-look-like.html
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Polygamy
I have a blog post on what modern polygamy does or might look like that some here may find of interest:
http://daviddfriedman.blogspot.com/2014/05/what-woulddoes-modern-polygamy-look-like.html
It’s a pretty heavy read, an academic post. Even though it’s speculation, it’s based on logical predictions we can draw from history. Seems fitting to me, although it doesn’t really explore the cultural and social implications of polygamy or polyamory. As a fiction writer, I might be more inclined to set up hypothetical environments that show how people in open, polygamous, or polyamorous relationships might interact in their day to day life. I wonder if people feel the need to come out of a polyamorous closet as well.
On a sort-of related note, there’s been a lot of speculation and discussion that bisexuality is actually a lot more common than people think, and that most bisexual people just end up in heterosexual monogamous relationships, even those who are openly bi. I think the variety of relationships both romantic and non-romantic will grow as our society moves to being more open and accepting of human sexuality. Human sexuality is a part of our humanity, and if we see it as just another part of being human we can enjoy sex and intimacy as much as we enjoy food. People may think it’s a little odd that a person likes marshmallows on hotdogs, but they aren’t embarrassed about the idea or topic. On the other hand ,when a person admits to a unique sexual interest the conversation can be awkward in many situations, and even hard to admit openly. (I compare food to sex because hunger and sex are both fundamental human instincts).
The internet porn service might have served to make people more open in some ways, but it is a pretty narrow step. Legalizing prostitution, giving people full privacy to their marriage, the definition of their love, and the definition of their relationships, this will all start the slow trek to a society more comfortable with its own sexuality.
That kind of speculation is more my style 😉
Jack,
Robert Heinlein does a great job in examining polygamy in its various forms in several books. The Moon is a harsh mistress examines Line Marraige, while To Sail Beyond the Sunset and Time Enough for Love deal more with general polygamy. The latter two books also deal with several other ethical issues.
