Polyfidelity, also known as Polyexclusivity, is an approach to polyamory where all members of the relationship are equal and agree to have relations with other members of the group. They may or may not be open to adding new members. In polyfaithful relationships all members are considered equals in terms of emotional intensity and power in the relationship. Polyfaithful relationships are closed relationships in the sense that partners agree not to have any sexual and/or romantic relations outside the current members of the group. One might think of polyfidelity as being similar to monogamy in terms of exclusivity. Some groups may not accept new members; other groups may accept new members only by unanimous consensus of the existing members.
Polyfidelity can be considered the opposite extreme of solo polyamory.
History
The term polyfidelity originated within the Kerista Village commune in San Francisco, which practiced polyfidelity from 1971-1991.[1][2] Kerista also expected all members of a polyfaithful group to be sexual with all other members (within bounds of their sexual orientations), but this aspect of polyfidelity is not always expected today. Before the Kerista Village experience, this arrangement might have been called a "complex marriage" or a "group marriage".
References
- ↑ Miller, Timothy (1999). The 60s communes: hippies and beyond. Syracuse University Press. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-8156-0601-7. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
- ↑ Pines, Ayala; Aronson, Elliot (1981). "Polyfidelity: An alternative lifestyle without jealousy?". Journal of Family and Economic Issues. 4 (3): 373–392. doi:10.1007/BF01257945.