Editing Open relationship (section)

==Types==
To a large degree, open relationships are a generalization of the concept of a relationship beyond [[monogamous relationship]]s.<ref name="Taormino2008" />  A form of open relationship is the [[open marriage]], in which the participants in a marriage have an open relationship.<ref name="Taormino2008" />

There are several different styles of open relationships. Some examples include:

* Multi-partner relationships, between three or more partners where a sexual relationship does not occur between all of the parties involved.<ref name="Taormino2008" />
* Hybrid relationships, when one partner is nonmonogamous and the other is [[monogamous]].<ref name="Taormino2008" />
* [[#Swinging|Swinging]], in which singles or partners in a committed relationship engage in sexual activities with others as a recreational or social activity.

The main unifying element to open relationship styles is non-exclusivity of romantic or sexual relationships. Another generic term for all these types of relationships is open love.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaal |first=Anna Gyulai |date=21 February 2019 |title=The many shades of open love |url=http://www.exberliner.com/api/content/076876de-345d-11e9-a3c4-120e7ad5cf50/ |access-date=4 July 2019 |website=EXBERLINER.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

===Swinging===
{{main|Swinging (sexual practice)}}
Swinging is a form of open relationship in which the partners in a [[committed relationship]] engage in [[Human sexual activity|sexual activities]] with others at the same time. Swingers may regard the practice as a [[recreational sex|recreational]] or social activity<ref name="case_for_swingers">{{Cite journal |last1=Bergstrand |first1=Curtis |last2=Blevins Williams, Jennifer |date=10 October 2000 |title=Today's Alternative Marriage Styles: The Case of Swingers |url=http://www.ejhs.org/volume3/swing/body.htm |journal=Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality |volume=3 |access-date=24 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Swing? |url=http://home.netcom.com/~jonnall/babylon/pattys.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104172156/http://home.netcom.com/~jonnall/babylon/pattys.htm |archive-date=4 November 2012 |access-date=4 October 2012}}</ref> that adds variety or excitement into their otherwise conventional sex lives or for curiosity. Swingers who engage in casual sex maintain that sex among swingers is often more frank and deliberative and therefore more honest than infidelity. Some couples see swinging as a healthy outlet and means to strengthen their relationship.

===Open marriage===
{{main|Open marriage}}
An [[open marriage]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dominus |first=Susan |date=11 May 2017 |title=Is an Open Marriage a Happier Marriage? |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/magazine/is-an-open-marriage-a-happier-marriage.html}}</ref> sometimes referred to as consensual non-monogamy<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 May 2017 |title=Study Reveals 5 Benefits of an Open Marriage |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/study-reveals-5-benefits-of-an-open-marriage_us_591b204ce4b086d2d0d8d2d7 |website=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref> or CNM, is a type of marriage wherein the involved parties unequivocally consent to their partners entering or engaging in romantic and/or sexual relationships with other people.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Balzarini |first=R. |year=2017 |title=Perceptions of primary and secondary relationships in polyamory |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=12 |issue=5 |pages=e0177841 |bibcode=2017PLoSO..1277841B |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0177841 |pmc=5436896 |pmid=28542619 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Polyamory===
{{main|Polyamory}}

Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and [[consent]] of everyone involved. While "open relationship" is sometimes used as a synonym for "polyamory" or "polyamorous relationship", the terms are not synonymous; polyamorous people may choose between open relationships or [[polyfidelity]]. The "open" in "open relationship" refers to the sexual aspect of a relationship, whereas "polyamory" refers to allowing bonds to form (which may be sexual or otherwise) as additional long-term relationships.<ref name="Taormino2008" />

The terms "polyamory" and "[[Casual dating|friends with benefits]]" are fairly recent, having come about within the past few decades<ref name="LinssenWik2010" /> though the concept is as old as society.