Types and styles

There are different types and styles of non-monogamy that different people might choose to participate under. Some of these examples may correlate with each other. A polyamorous person can have different levels of intimacy with different partners, and they can be more exclusive to a certain person/group of people.

Polecules

A polecule is where all members of a non-monogamous relationship are involved with one another.

Polyfidelity

Polyfidelity is where all members of a non-monogamous relationship are romantically/sexually involved with one another. This acts like a closed exclusive relationship to each other like a couple but with multiple people included. Typically encompasses three or four people.

“Kitchen Table Polyamory”

This style features all members having a healthy connection with all other individual members. It may not necessarily mean all parties are romantically involved with each other, but they are all connected. This builds family dynamics. The name is in reference to how these members can often meet and eat around a kitchen table while living under the same roof.

Couple Exclusivity

People might choose to be mainly exclusive to a person in a relationship, but require different needs to be met that can be fulfilled by other people.

Open Relationship / Monogamish

The open relationship is where a couple is romantically exclusive with each other. One or both partners are able to experience typically sensual behaviour with other people.

Parallel Polyamory

This is slightly different from an open relationship. This style chooses to focus on isolated one-on-one dynamics where members of the relationship prefer/choose not to know the relations their partners have with other people.

Swingers

This is when couples systematically swap partners at given times.

Others

Solo Polyamory

This style focuses on an individual who may not chose to settle down with any of their partners.

Relationship Anarchy

A relationship near to having no semblance of typical exclusive couples, or the strict values of one.

Polygamy

Marriage to multiple people. This is a law centred way of legally binding yourself to other people. In the past it’s often been a man married to multiple women. It may be legal to be married in a polecule or marry different people in different countries. It’s usually not legal to marry multiple people in most countries.