Introduction
A consensual non-monogamous relationship is one in which the partners involved reach an explicit agreement that each of them can have more than one sexual partner at the same time. The interest in CNM relationships has been on the rise despite the continued stigmatization from many people who view them as inferior to the monogamous relationships. Despite the growing interests from many people about the CNM, the fears related to social ostracism, legal ramifications and discrimination remain high, and even those who opt for this kind of sexual relationship keep it a secret. Even though stigma and fear for legal ramifications still loom large for CNM, researchers are currently considering if there can be any potential positive or negative effects of this kind of relationship to the individuals, community and society at large. CNM marriage can lead to a variety of non-sexual activity, interfere with the teachings of the church, and lead to the weakening of the societal norms concerning marriage.
Individual Effect
In the situation where CNM becomes socially and legally acceptable, studies have shown that it can have various effects at the individual levels. A recent study in which 175 people were interviewed about the effects of CNM at the individual level identified variety in non-sexual activity and fulfillment as a benefit that can result from such a relationship. Other than the common stereotypes about this kind of relationship, studies have shown that CNM offers more flexibility in terms of who a person can spend time with and the activities in which one can take place (Moors, Matsick & Schechinger, 2017). Some people can have like the hobby of going out for a movie, but the long term partner may not be available or may not like the activity, and this leads to a situation where one has to spend time alone in such activities thus leading to loneliness. However, CNM ensures that at least one partner enjoys one particular activity or is compatible with the hobby, and this provides a good time to spend together.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
In some cases, one partner may want to go out for an activity she/he likes, but the other partner may not always be there, a situation which can create an emotional gap. However, the CNM relationship ensures that there is always one partner to spend time with when others are not available. This situation leads to reduced stress and emotional fulfillment because one is always with their partner. Emotional stability and reduced stress can help increase the happiness of an individual and can be attributed to reduced illnesses and long life expectancy (Moors, Matsick & Schechinger, 2017). Contrary to the CNM relationships, recent research has shown that partners in monogamous relationships are more likely to become stressed and unhappy due to factors such as jealousy and feeling of being over restricted by the other partner. CNM offers an individual benefit on this by providing more space and free time to go out for the favorite activity and realize emotional fulfillment.
Community Effect
Making CNM socially and legally acceptable can have adverse negative effects on the church and religion as a whole. The Bible identifies marriage as a union between two people, a man, and a woman. The marriage is supposed to be strictly between two people, and sex should not be shared by a person other than between the wife and husband (Anderson, 2016). CNM can then create a contradiction on what the church teaches and the actual scenario of having more partners. This can put churches at a hard point trying to make young people live a pure life and on one side, get into a relationship with multiple partners. To the churches and teachings from the bible, having multiple partners, whether with the consent of the other partner or not, remains a sin. Making CNM legal and socially acceptable can, therefore, lead to the degradation of the moral teachings of the church, which is the institution charged with instilling moral values and ethics in society.
Effects on the Society
The legalization of CNM can lead to the weakening of the societal norms. Every society has norms that guide people on how various things are to be done. These norms are carried from one generation to the next. The CNM relationship can make the people deviate from the longstanding ideas concerning marriage and family, which requires that marriage engages two people (Haupert et al., 2017). With the deviation from the long known societal norms concerning marriages, the younger generation will shift to this new system of an intimate relationship, and in the long run, the traditional and current view of marriage as a union between two people will lose its meaning. Because norms are socially transmitted from one generation to the next, having a new practice that is contrary to that which has been the tradition will lead to deviation from such norms. It will create a situation where everyone will see CNM as the current norm for relationships rather than viewing it as just as a choice for those who cannot make it in a monogamous relationship.
Conclusion
Even though CNM continues to face stigmatization from all aspects about its morality, more people seem to develop an interest in this kind of relationship but fear due to possible consequences from society. At an individual level, CNM can create a great form of non-sexual pleasure. At the community level, it can contradict with the teachings of the church and lead to deviation from societal norms at the society level.
References
Anderson, L. S. (2016). Marriage, monogamy, and affairs: Reassessing intimate relationships in light of growing acceptance of consensual non-monogamy. Wash. & Lee J. Civ. Rts. & Soc. Just. , 22 , 3.
Haupert, M. L., Gesselman, A. N., Moors, A. C., Fisher, H. E., & Garcia, J. R. (2017). Prevalence of experiences with consensual nonmonogamous relationships: Findings from two national samples of single Americans. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 43 (5), 424-440.
Moors, A. C., Matsick, J. L., & Schechinger, H. A. (2017). Unique and Shared Relationship Benefits of Consensually Non-Monogamous and Monogamous Relationships. European Psychologist , 22, 55-71
