Family and consensual non-monogamy

Parents' perceptions of benefits and challenges

Bibliographic Data

ID2287382
AuthorsM Alarie (0000-0002-8334-9261, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) Montreal Quebec Canada, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume86
Issue2
Pages494-512
Publication date2024-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Marriage and the Family (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-2445 • E-ISSN: 1741-3737
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jomf.12955
OpenAlexW4389508252
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited62

ObjectiveThis study explores the perspectives of parents in open or polyamorous relationships with regards to challenges and benefits of practicing consensual non-monogamy (CNM).BackgroundStudies show that about one in five people, both in Canada and the United States, have been involved in a CNM relationship in their lifetime, a proportion that is even higher among today's young adults. While we know that many of those people have children, little research has focused on the experiences of parents practicing CNM.MethodThis article begins to fill this gap, drawing on 34 individual semi-structured interviews with Canadian parents involved in CNM relationships and their partners. The author explores the benefits and challenges associated with raising children in the context of CNM, as experienced by the participants.ResultsThe vast majority of participants argued that the benefits of being polyamorous or in an open relationship considerably outweighed the difficulties they encountered. Six overarching themes emerged from the participants' discourses, namely: (1) social acceptance and legal protection, (2) coming out to children, (3) time management, (4) reconciling family obligations and personal needs, (5) it takes a village to raise children, and (6) teaching important values to children.ConclusionUltimately, this study shows that parents practicing CNM perceive their relationship model as mostly beneficial for themselves, as parents, and for their family

Context (archaeology · Developmental psychology · Perception · Islamic Finance and Banking Studies · Marriage and Family Dynamics · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Psychology · Social Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access