Editing Non-monogamy (section)

== Prevalence ==
Non-monogamy is practiced globally, but its prevalence varies significantly depending on cultural, legal, and societal factors.

* '''Culturally Institutionalised Non-Monogamy'''. Polygyny (a form of polygamy in which a man marries multiple women) is permitted in many Muslim-majority countries and is most often found in sub-Saharan Africa, where 11% of the population lives in arrangements that include more than one spouse.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Stephanie |date=2020-12-07 |title=Polygamy is rare around the world and mostly confined to a few regions |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/12/07/polygamy-is-rare-around-the-world-and-mostly-confined-to-a-few-regions/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=Pew Research Center |language=en-US}}</ref> However, reliable statistics on the prevalence of polygamous marriages in Gulf countries and Sub-Saharan Africa are limited. Existing evidence suggests that while Islamic law permits polygamy in some regions, its actual practice is relatively uncommon and varies widely by country. For instance, the 2017–2018 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey found that approximately 4% of married women reported their husband had other wives, being most common among women with no education (13%).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2017-18: Key Findings. |url=https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/SR256/SR256.pdf |place=Amman, Jordan, and Rockville, Maryland, USA |publisher=DOS and ICF}}</ref> In contrast, the 2017 Senegal DHS reported that 32% of married women were in polygynous unions, demonstrating that rates can differ significantly across regions.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) [Sénégal], et ICF |date=2018 |title=Sénégal : Enquête Démographique et de Santé Continue (EDS-Continue) |url=https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-fr345-dhs-final-reports.cfm |access-date=}}</ref> Contemporary studies have identified 53 societies (out of over 1000)  practicing polyandry (a form of polygamy in which a woman marries multiple men), though its prevalence within these societies is difficult to determine, with the highest recorded rate being approximately 12 percent.<ref name=":10">{{Cite book |last1=Blume |first1=Amelia |title=The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Family Studies |last2=Abrutyn |first2=Seth |date=2016 |publisher=The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Family Studies |publication-date=2016 |chapter=Polyandry. |pages=1–2 |doi=10.1002/9781119085621.wbefs119|isbn=978-1-119-08562-1 }}</ref> Polyandry is practiced in regions such as the Himalayan areas of India, Nepal, and Tibet, the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific, and among indigenous groups like the Yanomamö in South America and the Inuit in the Arctic.<ref name=":10" /> 
* '''Consensual non-monogamy.''' Studies suggest that CNM arrangements, such as open relationships and polyamory, are becoming increasingly visible in Western societies. It is estimated that 3%-7% of Americans,<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Rubin |first1=Jennifer |last2=Moors |first2=Amy |last3=Matsick |first3=Jes |last4=Ziegler |first4=Ali |last5=Conley |first5=Terri |date=2014-01-01 |title=On the Margins: Considering Diversity Among Consensually Non-monogamous Relationships |journal=Psychology Faculty Articles and Research |url=https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/psychology_articles/133}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Haupert |first1=M. L. |last2=Moors |first2=Amy C. |last3=Gesselman |first3=Amanda N. |last4=Garcia |first4=Justin R. |date=2017 |title=Estimates and Correlates of Engagement in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11930-017-0121-6 |journal=Current Sexual Health Reports |language=en |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=155–165 |doi=10.1007/s11930-017-0121-6 |issn=1548-3584|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 2.5% of Canadians,<ref name=00224499.2019.1580667>{{Cite journal |last1=Fairbrother |first1=Nichole |last2=Hart |first2=Trevor A. |last3=Fairbrother |first3=Malcolm |date=2019-07-24 |title=Open Relationship Prevalence, Characteristics, and Correlates in a Nationally Representative Sample of Canadian Adults |journal=The Journal of Sex Research |volume=56 |issue=6 |pages=695–704 |doi=10.1080/00224499.2019.1580667 |issn=0022-4499 |pmid=30932711 |language=en}}</ref> around 3% of Norwegians,<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite journal |last1=Træen |first1=Bente |last2=Thuen |first2=Frode |date=2022-01-02 |title=Non-consensual and Consensual Non-monogamy in Norway |journal=International Journal of Sexual Health |language=en |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=65–80 |doi=10.1080/19317611.2021.1947931 |issn=1931-7611 |pmc=10906970 |pmid=38595687 |hdl-access=free |hdl=11250/2822937}}</ref> and 3.3% of Dutch and Flemish<ref name=":0a">{{Cite web |last1=Horsten |first1=Joost |last2=de Liefde |first2=Pluk |date=2017 |title=Hoeveel polyamoristen zijn er in Nederland en Vlaanderen? |url=https://www.plukdeliefde.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/prevalentie-van-nonmonogamie-in-Nederland-en-Vlaanderen.pdf}}</ref> are engaged in consensual non-monogamy at an any given time and around a quarter of the Americans, Canadians, Norwegians, and Dutch and Flemish at least once have engaged in a consensually non-monogamous relationship in their lifetime.<ref name=00224499.2019.1580667/><ref name="ReferenceA" /><ref name=":0a" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Rubel |first1=Alicia N |last2=Burleigh |first2=Tyler J |date=February 2020 |title=Counting polyamorists who count: Prevalence and definitions of an under-researched form of consensual nonmonogamy |journal=Sexualities |language=en |volume=23 |issue=1–2 |pages=3–27 |doi=10.1177/1363460718779781 |issn=1363-4607|url=https://osf.io/st2k5 }}</ref> In two surveys in 2013 and 2014, one fifth of surveyed single United States adults had, at some point in their lives, engaged in consensual non-monogamy.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last1=Haupert |first1=M. L. |last2=Gesselman |first2=Amanda N. |last3=Moors |first3=Amy C. |last4=Fisher |first4=Helen E. |last5=Garcia |first5=Justin R. |date=2017-07-04 |title=Prevalence of Experiences With Consensual Nonmonogamous Relationships: Findings From Two National Samples of Single Americans |journal=Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy |volume=43 |issue=5 |pages=424–440 |doi=10.1080/0092623X.2016.1178675 |issn=0092-623X |pmid=27096488 |s2cid=6855648}}</ref> [[YouGov]] poll reported that in 2020 about one-third of US adults believe that "their ideal relationship is non-monogamous to some degree" and in 2024 9% of Brits have been or would like to be in a polyamorous relationship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://today.yougov.com/topics/relationships/articles-reports/2020/01/31/millennials-monogamy-poly-poll-survey-data |title=Millennials are less likely to want a monogamous relationship |last=Ballard |first=Jamie |date=January 31, 2020 |website=[[YouGov]] |access-date=December 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103194338/https://today.yougov.com/topics/relationships/articles-reports/2020/01/31/millennials-monogamy-poly-poll-survey-data |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How Brits feel about polyamory |url=https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society/trackers/how-brits-feel-about-polyamory |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=yougov.co.uk |language=en-gb}}</ref>
* '''Secretive non-monogamy'''. Measuring the prevalence of infidelity presents significant methodological challenges, as estimates vary depending on the research design, sample population, and the definition of adultery used by the researchers. Studies differ in whether they categorize infidelity as sexual, emotional, or both, and they rely on respondents’ subjective interpretations of what behaviors qualify as unfaithful – ranging from sexual intercourse to kissing, or even online interactions like cybersex. Additionally, infidelity is often underreported due to associated guilt and shame, leading to potential biases in self-reported data.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Blow |first1=Adrian J. |last2=Hartnett |first2=Kelley |date=April 2005 |title=Infidelity in Committed Relationships I: A Methodological Review |journal=Journal of Marital and Family Therapy |language=en |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=183–216 |doi=10.1111/j.1752-0606.2005.tb01555.x |pmid=15974058 |issn=0194-472X}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last1=Fincham |first1=Frank D |last2=May |first2=Ross W |date=2017 |title=Infidelity in romantic relationships |journal=Current Opinion in Psychology |language=en |volume=13 |pages=70–74 |doi=10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.03.008|pmid=28813298 }}</ref> Typically, studies report infidelity rates in the range from 25% to 75%.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Eaves |first1=Susan H. |last2=Robertson-Smith |first2=Misty |date=2007 |title=The Relationship Between Self-Worth and Marital Infidelity: A Pilot Study |journal=The Family Journal |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=382–386 |doi=10.1177/1066480707305468 |issn=1066-4807}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Allen |first1=Elizabeth S. |last2=Atkins |first2=David C. |last3=Baucom |first3=Donald H. |last4=Snyder |first4=Douglas K. |last5=Gordon |first5=Kristina Coop |last6=Glass |first6=Shirley P. |date=2005 |title=Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Contextual Factors in Engaging in and Responding to Extramarital Involvement. |journal=Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice |language=en |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=101–130 |doi=10.1093/clipsy.bpi014 |issn=1468-2850}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last1=Wiederman |first1=Michael W. |last2=Hurd |first2=Catherine |date=1999-04-01 |title=Extradyadic Involvement during Dating |journal=Journal of Social and Personal Relationships |language=en |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=265–274 |doi=10.1177/0265407599162008 |issn=0265-4075}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite book |title=The state of affairs: explorations in infidelity and commitment |date=2004 |publisher=Lawrence Erlbaum Associates |isbn=978-1-4106-1065-2 |editor-last=Duncombe |editor-first=Jean |series=LEA's series on personal relationships |location=Mahwah, N.J |chapter=Communication and Marital Infidelity by Anita L. Vangelisti, Mandi Gerstenberger}}</ref> Infidelity is generally more common among cohabiting and dating couples than married couples and has been found to show seasonal variation, peaking during summer months due to travel and reduced chances of detection.<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal |last=Adamopoulou |first=Effrosyni |date=2013 |title=New facts on infidelity |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0165176513004321 |journal=Economics Letters |language=en |volume=121 |issue=3 |pages=458–462 |doi=10.1016/j.econlet.2013.09.025|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Treas |first1=Judith |last2=Giesen |first2=Deirdre |date=2000 |title=Sexual Infidelity Among Married and Cohabiting Americans |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00048.x |journal=Journal of Marriage and Family |language=en |volume=62 |issue=1 |pages=48–60 |doi=10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00048.x |issn=1741-3737|url-access=subscription }}</ref> While older studies report men engaging in infidelity more often than women, more recent studies report that men and women engage in infidelity at similar rates.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":11" /> However, men tend to report their extra-dyadic relationships as more sexual, while women report theirs as more emotional.<ref name=":13" />