There is much more to a relationship than sex.

That wasnt ooft's point, #107.

If all parties involved are aware of and agree to it then it is absolutely a valid relationship. It obviously wouldn't be in OP's case, but that's no reason to completely not recognize a whole group of people's relationships.

If both people feel comfortable with an open relationship without being pressured by their partner, who are you to tell them that they're not allowed to be happy with their relationship?

An open relationship isn't really a relationship....what's the point?

And you can say this because...? I don't get the quick judgement on open relationships. So basicly you say a relationship is only a relationship if your partner has sex with you.and only you, because that is all that matters in a relationship... I don't judge closed relationships or anyone who is in a closed relationship. So all I would like in return is that people don't judge me or my type of relationship before they know enough about it. And I don't get why the whole "but you can only sleep with me" is so important for people.

You can have sex without love and love without sex. You can have sex with the person you love, or be single and not have sex at all. Any and all of those are okay. I personally prefer open relationships, because for that to happen for me I would need a monumental amount of trust in my partner just as they woud need to have in me. We would need to make each other feel secure as well. But really, if somebody single can have a loveless one night stand, why can't someone in a relationship do it? It won't make them love you any less, and if a person is going to "cheat" they'll do it no matter what. I don't want to be with somebody that doesn't want to be with me and in all honesty if they can find something better and want to leave me more power to them. And also for everyone that doesn't like to "share" their partners, you have to remember that they're people with their own needs and wants that you probably can't meet 100% of the time because that's just not possible. There's nothing wrong with mutually agreeing to have those needs met in other ways with other people.

I disagree. My boyfriend and I have been together in a closed relationship for 4 years, but have talked about inviting someone else into our bed when we are married. He keeps me happy and I keep him happy, but there is always more pleasure to be had.

in my opinion if you love someone you dont want to **** other people, you want to **** that person. sure theres still attraction and desire for other people but you really only want to act on it with that person. otherwise you dont love them, you just dont, and youre full of shit if you claim otherwise.

#95, that may be the case for you, but for a lot of people, love and sex are not interchangeable. Beyond that, many people can love more than one person.

116, I beg to differ. I have been in a relationship for almost 3 years. Only the two of us are doing anything together. A relationship is between TWO people in my opinion. An open relationship is not a real relationship. But that's what I think. Not every relationship needs sex

You are literally forming opinions on other people's happy lifestyles. Why the **** does it matter that much to you ******* monogamous people? If you're happy with one person, great! Some people like more. Get the **** over yourselves and learn that you're not better than shit just because you're in a closed relationship, and forming "opinions" on open relationships makes you absolute scum. Leave people alone.

The idea of wanting your significant other to be committed to you and only you, and vice versa, both emotionally and physically is nowhere near selfish. I'm not judging, so say what you want, but I do view open/poly as selfishness. Basically, what one person is more or less telling another person, is that you're not enough or good enough for me, you alone do not satisfy me, and/or I want more. Also, once again, say what you want, but I've also often observed insecurity or self-esteem issues on at least one side of open/poly relationships. It might fully work for some couples, but I've known others where one half only went for it because of the emotional love they had for their s/o and didn't want to lose them.

exactly what 171 said, ive known quite a few people in open relationships and all, every single one, ended because of insecurity issues or jealousy or basically one person not being able to handle it. really i dont give a **** what other people do but if youre trying for an open relationship you should specifically look for likeminded people. bait and switch is ****** up and a waste of everyones time.

Only wanting to have one child is a valid choice for many couples, while other families want 6 or 7 kids, which is also perfectly valid. Likewise, many people cannot handle the complexities of an open or polyamorous relationship while others find that lifestyle to be much more fulfilling. Both are valid, and neither is more or less meaningful than the other. It all depends on the people involved in any particular relationship.

I couldn't have said it better.