9 Open Relationship Rules That Will Do The Trick

Maintaining a relationship is difficult in a world full of distrust and disloyalty. Relationships fall apart a lot these days because of the same reason. People fall out of love in a split second, and most relationships end in a breakup or marriages in divorce. But what if an open relationship can save your relationship or marriage? Yes, it’s an option! Not everyone agrees with it, and people often confuse it with adultery. However, an open relationship has its beauty and charm. In this article, we have highlighted the common open relationship rules in detail. Keep reading.

What Is An Open Relationship?

An open relationship is a mutually agreed-upon non-monogamous relationship or marriage. In this type of intimate relationship, both partners seek physical satisfaction outside the marriage while setting rules and guidelines that help maintain healthy boundaries and avoid hurting each other’s feelings or invading each other’s personal space.

Can Open Relationships Work?

Relationships where partners practice non-monogamy are much more challenging to maintain as they require immense courage, trust, commitment, and effort. Before getting into an open relationship, all those involved should discuss their take on it and be on the same page. The arrangement must be a hundred percent mutually consensual. This mutual consent is vital for any relationship, let alone a successful open relationship! Remember, “Whatever dies, was not mixed equally…” (Good Morrow, John Donne).

Iyana Edouard, a blogger, shared her personal experience about being in an open relationship with her partner and talked about her views on it in her blog post. She states, “I’m not saying I will never ever go back to traditional relationships but at this current time in my life open works for me and my partner (i).”

So, the success of an open relationship depends on the individuals involved. This relationship set-up is not the ideal in many countries. Certain societies see it in a negative light as well. In the next section, we discuss cultural perceptions and legal considerations of open relationships. Continue reading. 

Cultural Views And Legal Aspects Of Open Relationships

Open relationships are viewed differently across cultures and legal systems. Some societies are gladly accepting while some reject the concept entirely. Here we have explored the cultural perspectives of open relationships and legal considerations in detail. Read on.

Cultural Views

• In Western societies, people have become more accepting of the open relationship setup as they feel it offers freedom. Mainstream media also promotes ethical non-monogamy, but the social stigma still exists. 
• In Latin American societies, traditional relationships involving two people are appreciated. However, the urban and younger population are slowly gravitating towards the non-traditional, open relationships. 
• Islamic countries in the Middle East and the Asian countries abhor open relationships and reject them under religious grounds. People getting into such relationships may have to face legal and social consequences. 
• Similar to Western countries, Australia and New Zealand are not resistant to the concept of open relationships. It is becoming increasingly popular within progressive circles. However, the conventional norms still advocate for monogamy. 

Legal Considerations

• Most countries and their governments only recognize monogamous marriages. Therefore, engaging in multiple relationships can have repercussions like divorce and custody cases. 
• Some countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Nepal criminalize adultery, which could apply to people in an open relationship post marriage. 

Moving on, let’s explore what all to consider when entering an open relationship and how to deal with the consequences. Scroll down.

How To Deal With An Open Relationship

Accepting who you are affects your fate. Some people are aware of their desires, choices and, most notably, themselves right from the beginning. Others need time to understand themselves and others. To establish a relationship, you should accept your desires and be honest. Managing a relationship can be tricky, especially when it goes against the set norms and rules of the world. One of the most significant factors of an open relationship is prioritizing. You should always prioritize your primary partner or husband.

In order to ensure you get your priorities straight, you need to stick to some basic rules of an open relationship.

9 Open Relationship Rules

Clear rules in an open relationship help avoid misunderstandings and clashes. They allow individuals to maintain respect for their primary partners, navigate multiple bonds smartly, and fulfill their own emotional needs. Check out the most important open relationship rules below.

1. Do Not Break Each Other’s Trust

Every relationship is based on trust. When two people engage in a relationship, they build a life based on trust, which, once broken, can never be mended. In an open relationship, trust plays the most vital role. When two people decide not to be exclusive to each other, they are entrusting each other. Remember, with distrust comes jealousy, insecurity, and an abusive relationship (1).

Did You Know?

Jenny Block is in an open marriage and writes about it in ‘Your Tango’.

2. Simplify The Relationship By Setting Priorities

While compassion from all sides is essential, your primary relationship should always be your priority. You must not affect or disrespect the central relationship for physical intimacy. Discuss priorities before getting into an open relationship; that way, you both will be clear and can avoid any possible pitfalls (2).

Did You Know?

French philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir got into an open relationship in 1929 and were together till 1980, that is, until Sartre died.

3. Make Time For Each Other

No matter how busy you are, follow a schedule. Make it a point to go out with each other occasionally as it is essential to make time for each other. When people are too busy enjoying life outside primary relationships and marriage, they take the central relationship for granted. Do not neglect your primary relationship because of newly formed bonds.

Pro Tip

Take your significant other for dinner dates once every month to keep the spark alive.

4. Be Honest With Each Other

Honesty is the best policy in every sector of life. Be it a monogamous or open bond, it is one of the most important things in a relationship. A mere lie can break all your ties. Do not lie to your husband, wife, or significant other in the relationship. Keep them in the loop about your relationships. Like in any other type of relationship, communication is the key to making open relationships thrive too. Have open and honest communication about desires, feelings, worries, demands, and the arrangement of romantic lives. Do not hide anything from them. If you are not on board with the idea, be direct. This can help you to foster trust, emotional connection, and understanding in the relationship. Let them know your thoughts about open relationships before getting into one.

Did You Know?

The concept of open relationship dates back to the 1970s.

5. Prioritizing Intimacy Safety Is Mandatory

Physical intimacy can be deadly if you do not use protection. Having healthy intimacy is not optional. You should always use proper protection before engaging in intimate encounters in or outside the central relationship. Know about the person you want to engage with. Keep contraceptives and pregnancy pills handy to avoid unplanned situations. If an unplanned situation occurs, consult your significant other before taking a major step.

6. Be Patient With Each Other

An open relationship might help certain failing marriages or relationships, but you must be patient. Things take time. You will still have to work on your primary relationship and give it time to heal and get better. Stepping into a happy relationship from a broken one takes time.

7. Respect Each Other’s Boundaries

Set clear boundaries in an open relationship before getting into one. You both should be aware of each other’s fantasies and needs. Communicate the goals and expectations out of the open relationship. You both should be on the same page. Do not force your choices and boundaries on others. Respect each other’s boundaries and do not cross the line when things fall apart. Emotional and physical boundaries should be strictly followed to lead a happy and successful life (3).

8. Face Your Insecurities

It is okay to be insecure. However, face the insecurities before entering into an open relationship. Once you are in, coming back might be difficult. Be open about your feelings and insecurities. A mutual understanding is required, and if one of you is unsure, do not proceed.

9. Respect Sexual Boundaries

Sexual boundaries in an open relationship can be a tricky ship to sail. While exploring and expanding the horizon is the essence of an open relationship, it is important to forge as well as respect sexual boundaries when you have a primary partner. Talk beforehand to determine the extent and type of sexual intimacy you are comfortable with when it comes to other (secondary) partners. Activities that are acceptable and those that are off-limits must be decided. You should also discuss the possibility of an emotional connection and the related complications that may stem from nurturing sexual intimacy with more than one partner.

Now that we have covered the basic rules to guide you in the initial days of exploring an open relationship, let’s go through some of its benefits.

Benefits Of Open Relationships

Now that you know the rules, let’s discuss the benefits that drive one to opt for an open relationship. Primarily, people get into open relationships for physical satisfaction. But is that all? Well, no. There’s more to these than just intimacy.

• You Experience New Adventures: When you meet new people, you enter their world and sign up for new adventures. These adventures may drive you crazy, but you enjoy life more.
• You Become Cheerful: The mind is usually preoccupied with responsibilities and duties. But people usually get calm and begin to worry less as they enter an open relationship. It makes them feel energetic and youthful.
• You Develop New Perspectives: New people bring in new perspectives. Sometimes, people don’t realize when the monotony of life makes them bitter. New people help them see the other side of the coin and become better.

All relationships come with benefits and drawbacks in equal measure. We now look at some of the drawbacks of open relationships.

Drawbacks Of Open Relationships And How To Tackle Them

Does it mean there are no setbacks in an open relationship? Well, that is not entirely true. The major setbacks of an open relationship are prejudice, jealousy, guilt, STDs, and unplanned pregnancies.

• Prejudice: Societal pressure and norms throw judgment at you that can be quite difficult to navigate at times. The limited acceptance of people around you can devour your happiness and leave you astray. To deal with this, set clear boundaries regarding how much you share about your relationships with others. Build a small but strong supporting network with like-minded people. Focus on yourself and what makes you happy and avoid paying to much attention to what others are saying. 
• Jealousy: Even when two people consent, they can get jealous. For instance, a person may get jealous if their partner starts seeing someone else, especially after having been at the center of their attention for a long time. It is a feeling that arises from a sense of insecurity and often is very difficult to control. There may also be a fear of losing someone. It’s a natural emotion, especially in an open relationship, especially when it exists in a society that reinforces these feelings in every kind of romantic representation. Mercedes, a blogger, recounted her personal experience of being in an open relationship. She wrote, “But over time, things began to alter. Alex got to be increasingly included with his exterior accomplices, and I began to feel dismissed. I felt like I was competing for his consideration, and I began to feel uncertain (ii).” 
  If this is something that’s affecting your open relationship with your partner, have a candid conversation with your partner and reassure each other about your steadfast commitment to your primary relationship. Additionally, establish clear relationship boundaries with your partner to avoid insecurities. 
• Guilt: A sense of guilt is also prevalent initially due to the lack of set boundaries, especially after being in a monogamous relationship for a long time. Be honest about your feelings to yourself and reflect on your values and relationship goals before entering an open relationship. Discuss with your partner about this choice of yours and give them enough time to adjust. One last thing is to redefine the norms of your primary relationship to avoid unnecessary clashes and conflicts. 
• STDs And Unplanned Pregnancies: Engaging in multiple physical relationships can increase the risk of STDs and unintended pregnancies. These risks cause emotional stress and can ultimately strain your primary relationship. To handle these, protected intimate encounters are vital. Know your partner before engaging in physical intimacy. Get health checks done before meeting your partner. Keep condoms and other barriers always handy.

When you are in an open relationship, you must also be open to unlearning, relearning, and detachment from society. Know that your relationships are ethical as long as there is transparency and mutual consent within their structure. Most people often confuse an open relationship with polyamory. Though the two might seem similar, they have some significant differences. Learn more in the next section.

Polyamory Vs. Open Relationship

The significant difference between an open relationship and polyamory is the involvement of multiple committed physical and emotional ties. In polygamy, one has multiple relationships simultaneously that may not include their significant other. Consent is crucial for both types of relationships. However, because of the many entities in polygamy, things may take a wrong turn over the long haul. Physical intimacy is a driving force in both relationships. However, in an open relationship, every relationship beyond the central one is casual.

How To Be In An Open Relationship

Start by discussing it with your partner. Whether you have been in a relationship for a month or several years, talk to your partner if you feel attracted to someone else. While some people are clear about their preferences right from the beginning, others may take a while to share them. In any situation, communication is key. Communicate with your partner, put forward your opinions, and set rules and clear boundaries in relationships accordingly if they are on board to form ties beyond a marriage or a monogamous relationship. You can proceed once you and your partner agree upon the rules. However, be prepared for things not going as planned – as such a discussion can turn into a toxic experience.

Infographic: 4 Open Relationship Rules To Make It Work For You

An open relationship is a sexually intimate relationship with someone outside a marriage or a preexisting primary relationship. If you feel you need a bond in your life to reignite the spark in your current relationship, talk to your partner. Mutual consent is vital. In addition to that, here are 4 major rules to make an open relationship work for you. Check out the infographic below.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Who chooses an open relationship?

People who feel their relationship is losing the spark or are unhappy with their existing relationship often engage in open relationships.

Is an open relationship healthy?

Yes, an open relationship can be healthy.

Do men prefer open relationships?

Even though preference is subjective in nature, going by Sigmund Freud’s theory, men usually claim the person as their own when they engage in intimate encounters with them. Thus, men may enjoy intimacy but may not always prefer open relationships (4).

Can open relationships be romantic?

Yes, open relationships can be romantic.

Is it still adultery if you’re in an open relationship?

No, being in an open relationship is not adultery unless you cheat on a person.

Illustration: Open Relationship Rules That Will Do The Trick

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn the four essential rules to follow in an open relationship. Watch this video to discover how to make it work and keep everyone happy and communicative.

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