I think that if you can form a healthy, respectful relationship with one or more of the people, that's what is important. What I've seen from Mormon fundamentalist polygamy and group marriage is that (from my perspective) those participating in those things don't have the core principles necessary to make even a monogamous relationship work. They seem to be trying to compensate by adding more people to the relationship. The relationships with one man and several women have produced the worst abuse I've heard of firsthand and seem to be entered into by the women under threat of damnation. Theoretically, I would say that adults should be able to form polygamous relationships, if that's what they want, but the horrific things that take place in polygamous communities lead me to believe there's almost always some form of coercion in those arrangements.

Many of the same problems exist in monogamy and at times they are made worse by society's acceptance of it. So I don't believe that monogamy is the answer to any problems either. I think that if we focused on teaching real moral values in society, as in respect, setting personal boundaries, etc, we wouldn't have to discuss what type of arrangement makes the best relationships. People could figure it out for themselves.

As long as it's between consenting adults, anything goes.

I have no problem with polygamy, I have no problem with monogamy. I have tried both on for size and prefer a monogamous relationship for myself. But I never understood the idea of not liking a person based on something like that. I mean, if I meet someone who is really interesting, smart, funny, all that spiffy stuff, and they happen to be into polygamy, oh well! They are still all those things, I'm just not interested in a relationship. They can still be cool people. The only time I've ever had any kind of issue with it is when I go into a relationship, having openly discussed and agreed upon what we are each willing to except, meaning I made it clear that I was looking for a monogamous relationship and they said they were too, then I find out they are sleeping around. But to me that's not so much a poly/mono thing, as it is a lying thing.

Also I think this whole thread got narrow and aggressively traditionalist and judgemental REAL fast.

ive read and seen lots of documentary that sugest that we are not made to be monogam after all monogamy is only a few hundred of years old it the whole of human existence i for one was in monogamist relationship for 6 years we had are expurienses here and there but i would not mind a polygam relationship as long as everyone comunicate and honest i think as long as this is respected anything goes

I'm polyamorous. Some people prefer it. Some don't. Whatever makes you happiest

Hah! Finding one person to be with and get along with is tricky enough.

monogamy is best

I think if you can find a bed big enough and nobody minds the others who is going to complain but the prude next door?

Sometimes one partner is more than enough to handle.

Bad for the human animal species. Dissolves the line of whose breeding with who therefore inbreeding is more common.

Nothing against it, but if your in a relationship, it would be difficult to not hurt feelings.

My daughter is bi sexual, (a little Greedy for my taste.) Her boyfriend came to me for my blessings for a 3way relationship and wanted my thoughts.

Me personally,

1. I can't keep one woman happy enough most of the time. I Don't know of any successful story of swingers making it long term.
   2nd. The jealous factor and sexual transmittable diseases.
   3rd The financial support, when he is a flute player who couch surfs.
   4th. Most of the world views of polygamy being 4 out of the top 10 most sinful sexual behaviors.

I am always open about everything, good thing my daughter dumped him anyways.

It hasn’t happened with me but I’m pretty open minded and not opposed to it.

Each person has their own wants and needs and of you find people with wants and need that fit yours whether it be 1-1/ 2-2/ 1-10 it only matters that all parties are happy with it and want it that way. When you make people be something they aren't is when issues rise

Well, if it's me with three wives okay. But a woman with three husbands, that would be wild. I don't think a woman could tolerate three husbands...they barely tolerate one

There are few people that can share a loving. Partner with someone else so generally it evolve s more stress and misery that positive emotions That said there are a few can make it work

I was told that it is usually a bad way to raise children. Am I wrong?

I'm not interested. Seems like most of the conversations, below, are talking about 3 people. Poly could mean a great many people, too. So where's the boundry drawn? To me, poly is nothing but the human rationalization of cheating. But, that's just me.

Never say never but i don't think it's for me

As long as great sex is involved it works for me.

Any relationship can only be as healthy as it's least healthy member...
And it it very difficult to find healthy, compatible, and mutually attractive mates.
Let alone ones who are also erotically, romantically, and philosophically compatible.
Any next person to come along has to fit in the existing relationship structure.
There has to be even more communication, personal growth, intimacy and vulnerability... And these things are hard.

That is why it is often hard... to be any variation of poly.

Healthy; in this instance meaning mental, emotional, relational health... Although physical health does play a significant role in each of those.
Attractive; meaning totality of biochemical, romantic, erotic desirability to that specific person.

Being a huge fan of population control, I wonder how polygamy would affect things. I guess it could go either way, but haven't done any research or actually thought it through.

I have nothing against it for other people but not for me . I do not want a man that does not think I am important enough to be the only one

My most successful relationship was with a couple. I am a fan