Open marriage

An open marriage is a marriage where both parties agree thatthey are permitted the right to have sexual relationships outside the marriage, without regarding this as sexualinfidelity . Open marriage can be regarded as a half-way state between traditional marriage and free love . However, the idiosyncrasies of each open marriage are defined by the individuals involved. Thereis no one set of rules or boundaries for an open marriage; each marriage is unique in defining what works for that couple, atthat given time. Also, the rules are subject to change over time as each person and their relationships grow. This change isnecessary to adapt to new circumstances that arise. Many therapists familiar with this kind of relationship advocate the ideathat the key to any relationship, especially an open marriage, is honest and open communication between all parties involved.

The practice of extra-marital sex is often illegal in jurisdictions where adultery is illegal, regardless of whether the partners have given their consent. Open marriage is not the samething as polygamy , where sexual relationships are kept entirely within the partiesto the marriage.

The concept can be applied to non-marriage relationships; in such circumstances it is known as an openrelationship.

Famous people who had open marriages include DmitriShostakovich and his wife, and Edna St. VincentMillay and her husband.

See also

• Polyamory
• Swinging
• Sexual revolution