Open Relationships: Know the Pros and Cons

Is an Open Relationship Right for You?

The first thing both partners need to consider before engaging in an open relationship relates to their views on love and sex. If you can both easily differentiate between the two, this may be something worth pursuing. If, on the other hand, you can’t separate love from sexual intercourse, then this pursuit will certainly destroy the relationship. Complete communication between partners is essential before and during this new relationship experience. Boundaries must be set—such as not bringing the third party back to your apartment—out of respect for one another’s feelings and comfort levels. Let’s look at a few of the advantages and disadvantages to open dating.

A Few Pros

Freedom to Look for a More Compatible Partner

Many open relationships stem from partners looking to experience what else is out there. Whether you’re a more adventurous couple seeking new experiences, or a dissatisfied duo searching for ways to salvage the relationship, dating other people also opens you up to the possibility of finding a more compatible partner. In your search, you may discover someone else better suited to you that you would otherwise not have met had you not agreed to an open relationship.

Adding to Your Bag of Tricks

Things can get predictable in the bedroom when you’ve been with the same person for a long time. Being with new partners, and learning new maneuvers, can be a way to shake things up between you and your long-time beau. You may find that re-establishing novelty in the relationship is exactly what you two needed to be excited about one another again.

A Few Cons

Harming the Relationship

It takes two very secure people to open up their relationship to others, and to trust their partner to be with another without developing feelings for that person. The fact is that most relationships do not survive the introduction of other partners into the bedroom, so make sure it really is what you two want. It is easy to develop feelings of jealousy and mistrust when you allow your partner to become intimate with others. And of course, there is the possibility that one of you will fall for the other person and leave the relationship for them.

The Risk of Disease

A factor always to consider is the potential for disease with new sexual partners. Even taking all of the precautions does not guarantee you a disease-free existence, making each new sexual partner you invite into your life a potential risk, for you and your mate.

Before considering an open relationship, ask yourself if you are truly happy with your partner. Many people look to outside sources to fix themselves or their relationships when often the problems come from within. If you feel that you and your mate are truly happy with one another and the relationship is strong enough to withstand adding sexual partners, perhaps this is a venture worth exploring.