Open Marriage

[tlbwriter]

And seriously, in OP's friend's situation - isn't that what viagra is for??

It's not the answer to every issue of that nature.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Humans are not all that different from other animals. In other animals the main focus of their entire lives is procreating, not legal living arrangements, tax breaks, societal norms, or what other people think about them or their situation. Males want to impregnate as many mates as they possibly can while females try to select the males with the best features (depending on the species) to mate with and make for a stronger species. Humans are really not wired any different, we just have societal pressures that pull us a different way.

Many of the things we do on a societal level are at conflict with our natural tenancies.

Yes, God singled us out for that purpose. That is why we are different from the animals.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Most of these situations I hear about do not end well, but this one seems to be working out for the couple/triple. Personally, I'd love another man around the house, though I'm selfish and wouldn't share DH with another woman. I've often thought how cool it would be if DH and my mutual best friend could live with us as a sort of brother-husband. We've already lived together in the past and know it works out for us. He's fairly attractive. Sigh...if only I hadn't gone and married him off to one of my good friends...

 

[Kimberly]

Yes, God singled us out for that purpose. That is why we are different from the animals.

 

[Tinkermommy]

Well, if I were going to be in an open relationship, there would have to be some guidelines. Can't have your guy sleeping with your coworker or best friend and saying "hey, I thought we were open!"

Yes, I would think so. I just thought that must be a strange conversation.

Just seems to make things more complicated.

 

[NY Disney fan]

That's ok, I don't take offense.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Ya mean marriage isn't between one man 'n one woman?

 

[FireDancer]

Yes, God singled us out for that purpose. That is why we are different from the animals.

Maybe, maybe not. No reason to make it a religious thread.

 

[JessicaR]

Maybe, maybe not. No reason to make it a religious thread.

That seems to be happening a lot lately.

 

[bicker]

But it sure doesn't make sense from a romantic, legal, financial standpoint.

However, a lot of that is a reflection of how society is structured, not a reflection of what would necessarily be the best way for society to be structured. A table with four legs is pretty stable, but a big, heavy table with six legs is even more stable, and with eight legs, even more stable. I was brought up to be monogamous and straight - that doesn't mean that that's the best way for everyone, and indeed who's to say what would be best for me if my upbringing was different: So much of what's best for us is a reflection of what our upbringing prepared us for. Imagine, if you will, if society really expected married couples with children to actually stay in love with each other, work issues out whatever may come. How would that affect our society? No question that there are downsides, but perhaps it would be better if revolving door marriages were less acceptable? The way things are today are almost surely not perfect. Why? Because perfection is a very small range in the vast array of possibilities, so the chances that we've actually managed to settle on perfection is highly unlikely. So it is a reasonable assumption that certain aspects of our society, if not every aspect of our society, can be improved by some change or another. The issue is that we cannot be sure which one are the good ones....

 

[NY Disney fan]

Maybe, maybe not. No reason to make it a religious thread.

Ok, I won't mention any religion going forward, but I also do not like to be refered to as an animal. I understood your point, but I don't agree.

 

[mrsdon]

I had a friend that used to brag about dating her boyfriend and Dh at the same time
I do not think that is the right choice for me, but I would not judge what works for others

 

[Swalphin]

I'm selfish and would not want to share my bed or man with anyone else. Those things you do when you are SINGLE. Why get married to sleep around, I know it better to marry than to burn, but I'm thinking you're going to be burning in a different fire

My In laws are Swinger's and I'm never sleeping over to their house.

Her husband has tried to put the moves on me before

Yikes! I am guessing it must be your stepfather inlaw?

 

[krcit]

Not my cup of tea but to each their own.

 

[FireDancer]

I also do not like to be refered to as an animal.

OK, if you aren't an animal are you a plant, fungus, or microorganism because those are the only choices?

I was always under the impression that H. sapiens are part of the animal kingdom.

Really, the proper scientific name for our species is ***'d out? This is why I laugh when people try to ban words.

 

[NY Disney fan]

OK, if you aren't an animal are you a plant, fungus, or microorganism because those are the only choices?

Human is another choice. Yes we share DNA with chimps because I am not a chimp and neither are you.

 

[FireDancer]

Human is another choice.

Not in any accepted scientific taxonomy that I know. Again, we are talking biologically, not spiritually or socially. One can not be a H. sapien without first being an animal (or Eukaryote if you go with the three domain system). That's how a hierarchal classification of classes works.

Yes we share DNA with chimps because I am not a chimp and neither are you.

Yes, but we split with the chip at the Genus level which means that both humans and chimps are animals. We are different animals but we are still animals.

 

[2disneyboys]

As long as everything is out in the open, I have no problem with it. Nor would it matter if I had a problem with it. Most people are going to do what makes them happy, regardless of the opinion of others.

I couldn't live that way, but if others want to, that's their business.

This quote above perfectly summs up my thoughts.

I can't do it. I don't agree w/ it, but I'm not the one to judge it.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Human is another choice.

But human is another word for animal, just as dog is another word for a type of animal. A human is a highly intelligent animal, but an animal nontheless.

Personally, I like being called an animal. And now I've got the They Might Be Giants song "Mammals" running through my head...

 

[bicker]

The idea of holding ourselves apart from other animals leads to less respect for lesser beings, generally, and that filters through into human society, where people get and act on the mistaken impression that they are justified in respecting other humans less. While human life is indeed more valuable than that of other animals, we've, as a civilization, too often too grossly defiled the value of the life of other animals.