Introduction
Open relationships are relationships in which the partners are free to delve into relationships with other persons. They remain sincere and straightforward about what is happening in their personal lives. In an open relationship, two partners concur that they can partake in sexual stumbles with other persons without fault, embarrassment and envy.
The idea of open relationships is not simply a thing of the ancient times. Open relationships exist well currently (Johnson, 1960). This paper will discuss some of the pros and cons of these open relationships.
Major argument
Cons of open relationships
Premise 1: Your utmost other having sex with someone else.
This falls under the class of palpable and something that can not be accentuated enough. The feeling of another person gouging your girlfriend or boyfriend is a bit annoying. The experience of both spouses dating different people is quite difficult. Problems also arise when one partner wants to have sex with the other where excuses of tiredness are likely to be terribly often. “Relationships-of all kinds-are like sand held in your hand.
Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold onto some of it, but most is spilled. A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. Held too tightly, too possessively, and the relationship slips away and is lost” (Kearl, 2009).
Premise 2: Open relationships bring relationships to a vivid end.
This is due to the presence of skirmishing, resentful and all behavioral ways that make partners feel irritated or cheerless. “Problems that subsisted in the relationship are amplified due to the passionate emotions and the additional feelings of anger towards this free relationship out rule” (Johnson, 1960).
Premise 3: Open relationship is a wrong approach of binding a stumbling relationship
Partners should not agree with open relationships. The issue of ones spouse not being pleased with bedroom issues is something the two partners should sit down and work it out.
However, if this is not possible, it is better for the two of them to break up. Under no situations, can adding more persons to this kind of relationship help if the relationship is already having issues. An open relationship, therefore, should never be understood as a way of keeping a collapsing relationship together. It is a wrong move since it is a way of solving such issues from a negative perspective.
Instead, it should be consented under positive conditions from an already joyful couple. “People having problems in their relationships should learn other ways of dealing and solving them. It is impossible to anticipate that things will get better by adding more people to the relationship. In fact, they only get worse” (Kearl, 2009).
Premise 4: Open relationships lead to polygamous marriage
Open relationships may lead to polygamous marriages which are unhealthy and which often bring about hatred and destruction. ”Such relationships are often more fluid than the traditional dating-and-marriage model of long-term relationships, and the participants in an open relationship may not have preconceptions as to its duration” (Linssen, 2010).
Premise 5: Spread of STD’S.
Sexually transmitted diseases are on the increase today due to open relationships. “HIV/AIDS is the leading of them all” (O’Neill, 2000). This can be reduced if partners could stick to the monogamous way of relationships as it ensures safer sex than in open relationships.
Minor argument
Pros of open relationships
Premise 1: New techniques of the trade
Open relationships bring back new styles to take a crack at in the bedroom. This is from practices and skills obtained from other people. Sex life becomes pretty diverse and entertaining. “Teaching each other new techniques, positions and impressions are substantial parts of open relationships” (Taormino, 2008).
Premise 2: Putting into practice ones voyeur desires
Since in open relationships, partners usually hook up with shared friends. They sometimes hook up in a similar room simultaneously “It is enjoyable observing another team while having sex” (Surhone & Marseken, 2002).
Premise 3: Through open relationships, one may get someone who is better.
Open relationships may enable one to find someone who they would want to be with more than their present partners “Love is always open arms. If you close your arms about love, you will find that you are left holding only yourself” (Taormino, 2008).
References
Johnson, H.M. (1960). Sociology: a Systematic Introduction to the advantages of open relationships. New York: Harcourt Publishers.
Kearl, M. (2009). Love, Sex and Parenting in an Open Relationship. New York: Grove Press.
Linssen, L. (2010). Love Unlimited: The Joys and Challenges of Open Relationships. United Kingdom: Findhorn Press
O’Neill, G., & O’Neill, N. (2000). Open marriage: a new life style for couples. New York: Harcourt Publishers.
Surhone, M. L., & Marseken, F. S. (2002). Open Relationship. Verlag: VDM Publishers
Taormino, T. (2008). Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships. Calif: Cleis Press.