Polyamory – literally, the state of loving many people – is becoming accepted as a form of alternative lifestyle. It is important to realise that this is as distinct from polygamy, the act of marrying more than one person. The latter remains illegal in most countries. Polyamory, though not itself necessarily having anything to do with swinging, is a lifestyle which can make swinging a viable option for some. Polyamory is in fact a very broad term that covers swinging and a number of other lifestyle choices at the same time.

While in a monogamous, monoamorous relationship there are a range of factors that keep a couple strong. These include total fidelity, trust and understanding. A monogamous couple will treat any deviation from that path as a betrayal of trust. In a polyamorous relationship, there are fewer restrictions on how the participants conduct themselves romantically, but there are still restrictions nonetheless, and it is these restrictions that differentiate polyamory from swinging.

While in a monogamous relationship infidelity is simply seen as any sexual relationship with a third party, polyamorists view the concept of infidelity as pertaining to any relationship outside those that they have agreed to. Commitment in a polyamorous relationship is viewed as being connected to concerns of “trust and honesty” – something which is not mutually exclusive from the idea of swinging – a couple can agree beforehand to have a bit more freedom in sexual matters, as long as it is within a pre-agreed framework.

Many people incorrectly assume that polyamory is a one-way ticket to complete sexual freedom. However, this is far from the truth, and a polyamorous relationship does require all of its members to be trusting, honest and supportive. It may also require sitting down to agree defined rules in a way that may not happen in a monogamous relationship. This is however for the partners to decide.