Social conservatives warned that redefining marriage as being something other than husband and wife would further encourage redefinition in other areas, such as permanence and exclusivity.
CNN Health reports that “interest in nonmonogamy — participation in nonexclusive sexual relationships — is on the rise.” The article’s author, Ian Kerner, discusses “ethical nonmonogamy” and gives examples of its supposed benefits:
“Consider a couple with children who, without ethical nonmonogamy, would have split up, and for whom nonmonogamy stabilizes their relationship,” New Jersey-based sex therapist Margie Nichols said.
“Eventually, that stability doesn’t last, but ethical nonmonogamy allows the couple to uncouple consciously and take time with the process,” Nichols said. “Because of the thoughtfulness, the family can remain living together or near each other and still love and care for each other, and there is no bitterness or rancor between the two. I’d call that a success — despite divorce.”
What would the children call it, I wonder?
The Times of London promotes “the ultimate guide to polyamory without heartbreak.” Janet Hardy, co-author of The Ethical Slut, said:
“People tend to look at polyamory and think it’s about having lots of sex with lots of people and that’s a nice little side-benefit that I don’t want to undervalue. But when I look back at my life, the things I value more are the connections I’ve made, the families that I’ve been a part of . . . My kids were happier with lots of adults around. It’s very hard for a two-career couple to make themselves available as much as growing children need.”
The idea that children can be just as happy growing up around orgies as with a mother and father committed exclusively to one another is self-evidently preposterous.