An Open Relationship is a form of Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM) where the people in the relationship are not exclusive in their sexual partners. This generally refers to couples, as they collectively make the decision to "open up" their relationship.
Unlike polyamory, open relationships tend to not involve romantic relationships and are more oriented towards sexual relationships.
Common Archetypes
- Multi-partner: where people are connected sexually to one another, but not necessarily everyone with everyone.
- Hybrid relationships: where one person may have a sexual connection with multiple people and the other person just with them and monogamously
- Swinging: where a couple or single person will loosely engage with sexual connections with other people.
