msn.com
2026-10-07
The old joke that "whoever said marriage is a 50-50 proposition didn't know the half of it," takes on a whole new meaning in a culture flirting with "polyamory."
Within the word, "poly" means multiple, and "amor" means love. Thus, polyamory refers to multiple loves, or what has traditionally been called "open relationships." Some polyamorous relationships involve so-called "marriage;" others do not. As opposed to polygamy, which means many spouses, polyamory is about multiple committed relationships consenting together to be part of a larger relationship.
As Sean McDowell recently noted, polyamorous relationships are not new. Examples go back to at least the Greco-Roman world. What is new is that over 50% of Americans under 30 believe open marriage is acceptable, and another study shows that one in nine Americans have engaged in polyamory. Also new, and consistent with the American experience, is the collection of reality shows, thought pieces, and films conspiring to promote it.