Persuasive paper for Polyamory

Name: Tutor: Course: Date: Persuasive Paper for Polyamory Introduction The Gender Equity Resource Centre defines polyamory as the state of an individual being in more than one open, romantic and often sexual relationship simultaneously and with the consent and knowledge of all the partnersCITATION Tao08 \p 18 \l 1033 (Cook, Commitment in Polyamorous relationships 18). Polyamory is relatively new to the modern world. However, it has been practiced for centuries by some communities in the United States. The Oneida community a New York religious community practiced polyamory in the 1800s. Members of the community were actively encouraged to practice polyamory openly but with the consent of their sexual partnersCITATION Sar11 \p 10 \l 1033 (Wheeler 10). Scientific American estimates that approximately 5% of American are looking for relationships outside of their committed relationships. Polyamory provides a platform through which these individuals can channel their desires in an open, free and legitimate manner. CNN reports that there are approximately 50,000 polyamorous relationships in the United StatesCITATION Ema13 \p ": cnn.com" \l 1033 (Grinberg: cnn.com). Globally, the number would be significantly higher noting that there exist societies that have allowed polyamory prior to civilization. Polyamory faces significant challenges, especially following its association with LGBT communities. Individuals who have practiced polyamory have reported significant backlash from the community around them. This being attributed in part due to ignorance and apathy from the community. Polyamorous couples have however reported their primary relationships being stronger after opening up their previously monogamous relationships. Terri Conley, a psychologist with the University of Michigan, corroborate the report that 5% of relationships are non-monogamousCITATION Ste13 \p ": scientificamerican.com" \l 1033 (Pappas: scientificamerican.com). The data shows that members of the LGBT communities are more likely to be in polyamorous relationships that heterosexual couplesCITATION Ste13 \p ": scientificamerican.com" \l 1033 (Pappas: scientificamerican.com). Polyamory, however, is different from open relationships or swinging. Mainstream society is apathetic to open relationships and swinging arguing that they promote promiscuity and moral decadence in society. Polyamory, on the other hand, ensures that all partners are aware of the other partners' involvement in other relationships. It requires that partners seek each other's permission prior to engaging in relationships outside of the primary connection. The paper, therefore, seeks to gain an understanding of polyamory. The paper will delve into the topic and attempt to determine the motivations, underlying emotions, challenges and the end goal of polyamorous relationships. The paper will be based on the premise that non-monogamous relationships particularly polyamory can be preferable to monogamous relationships. The paper will provide empirical evidence to support its claim. It will also juxtapose the two forms or relationships and critically compare them Grounds for Supporting Polyamory The critical argument by opponents of polyamory is that polyamory would result in the...