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Dealing, emotionally, with polygamy

I should start by saying that I'm an atheist (former devout pro-monogamy Christian), and my reasons for favoring polygamy have nothing to do with Mormonism or the Bible (or any other religion). This also isn't a situation of one-man, multiple-women as I would assume is traditionally thought of when considering polygamy, so don't be expecting a typical case.

With that out of the way, here's my situation. I've been in a monogamous relationship with my girlfriend for almost a year and a half. I love her to death, she is everything to me. I had never considered anything but monogamy to be an option for us, until I found out today that she feels differently, but has been avoiding talking about it with me because she was afraid of how I'd react. We've been in separate states for about two months now (long story), and in that time, she's had "crushes" on other guys. She even had sort of a fling with one of them, and never told me about it (I found out for myself not long ago, and it almost killed our relationship). Anyway, today I found out from her that that fling was not an isolated incident, but that she's been attracted to other men as well in her time away from me, and ideologically, she doesn't see anything wrong with sharing something of an intimate relationship with someone else in the future, in addition to her relationship with me. We are both down-to-earth and non-religious people. Rationally, I realize that humans aren't really built for monogamy, and it goes against our biological nature. So ideologically and rationally, I have no problem with that either. The problem is emotionally. I've been cultured and raised all my life in a monogamous society, in a monogamous home, in monogamous relationships; monogamy is what I know, it's what I'm comfortable with, it's what I'm happy with. Thinking about her with another guy, no matter how rationally acceptable to me, cuts deep. It hurts me in ways I can't describe. I guess what I'm looking for is sort of a support group. Has anyone else here dealt with something like this before? How do I get over these feelings and learn to accept this emotionally as well as mentally? I know she's right, I know our relationship would probably ultimately be healthier without the constraints of monogamy causing sexual and emotional frustrations between us, and I know polygamy wouldn't in any way detract from our love for one another, but the same biology that makes each of us desire multiple partners makes me so jealous for her that I don't know what to do with myself. She's mine -- as irrational as it is, I don't want to share her with anyone else. Any help? Advice? Suggestions?

Thanks,
Danny

Well, I jsut got this

Well, I just got this message from an administrator:

As a reminder, the focus of this site is Polygyny (one man having more than one wife). We welcome all to join in civil dialog, exchange of ideas, and friendship in regards to the positive support and advancement of polygyny. We do not engage in dialog and/or support concerning polyandry, polyamory, and other "alternative" relationships.

So I guess I was wrong in thinking I'd find any sort of support here beyond religious fanaticism. And here I thought it was just an open-minded community who wouldn't judge me based on what sort of relationship of which I choose to be a part. I was linked here from a Wikipedia article that specifically mentioned "general" and "secular" polygamy as part of the discussion, but apparently I was wrong and you are only interested in advancing archaic and sexist fringe religious views. My mistake. Please, carry on unperturbed by my heathen ways. I'm just going to go edit that Wikipedia entry so that others don't make the same mistake.

Was religion mentioned at

Was religion mentioned at all in the welcome letter?
What's wrong with secular polygyny? Does it have to include polyandry in order to be legitimate? I'm not seeing where you're getting the wrong information unless you're creating the religious bias in your own mind.

This site is about polygyny: mormon, christian, buddhist, agnostic, pagan, secular, athiest, etc...polygyny is the focus however.

As for the Wiki entry, it stated very clearly and concisely that this site is about polygyny. I don't know how much clearer it can get than that. If you came here assuming differently, then you must not have read the entry correctly. And after clicking the link, you must not have read the front page correctly. I would go further and say that you probably didn't read the welcome email correctly either since you went off about religious fanaticism. Chip on your shoulder there? Perhaps you need to take a step back and rethink your position?

Honestly, take some time to read and understand before speaking. Or as my father would say: "If at first you don't succeed, read the instructions. If that doesn't work, follow them!"

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared."
-Buddha

The problem isn't with

The problem isn't with polygyny, the problem is with the exclusivity enforced on a site that's, on the surface, inclusive of all belief systems. Have you ever even met a non-religious person who thinks that polygyny is good but polyandry is bad? It's like hosting a "secular" relationship discussion/support forum that descriminates against gays. You can call it "secular" all you want, but the reality is that the only people who are actually going to share your values are either religious or homophobes. (And I admit there are probably some non-religious misogynists who think that men should have multiple partners but if a woman has more than one male partner she's a whore.)

The bottom line is that I'm bitter because I'm in a tough situation, I'm emotionally bruised and reaching out for help, I'm looking for the support of like-minded individuals who won't judge me, and I came to this site because by all outward indications I thought I'd find that here, but as soon as I posted I was (very politely, I have to admit) told to shut up by the administration because this site is only for polygyny, and other "alternative relationships" are not welcome for discussion or support here.

I admit I did not read the home page. I didn't come here to read articles or essays, informative as they may be, I came for discussion, to meet people, to find support. I have no problem with you hosting a website which descriminates against relationships you think are morally incorrect. I have a problem with you doing so and then dressing it up as all-inclusive. I also admit that I misread the Wikipedia link (the last word was "polygyny," and I read it as "polygamy" because the font was small on my screen, and besides that I wasn't even familiar with the term "polygyny," so it was easy for me to miss), but I still think it could have been made more clear. I clarified the point myself by editing the link description (and I did so in a neutral and unbiased manner), so hopefully that will at least partially correct the issue for future searchers who are in my shoes (though it appears to me now that they are even less popular shoes than I had previously thought).

I guess in reality I have little reason to be angry with you. I'm just pissed off because I'm trying to find a welcoming community that can provide me with some sort of support, and the more I look the more I feel totally alone in this. When I found out this website wasn't what I initially thought (and hoped) it was, it just further dismayed me and made me feel hopelessly alone. I guess in a way I'm pissed off at the world for being so judgmental and closed-minded. I thought I'd found a different environment here, but I was wrong; it's just a different brand of closed-mindedness. Whatever; since I clearly don't belong here I shall take my leave and stop littering your message boards with comments and ideas for which it was not intended.

Well I dont know about

Well I dont know about anyone else but if my wife or Girlfriend (to me if you live together and are sexual she isnt a girl friend but according to God she is a wife)chose to be sexual with another person then to me she is unfaithful and is no longer welcome in my home or bed. Polygyny is the natural course in my honest opinion and is how God designed humans to be. One man and several wives. Thats why I personally believe the term Polygyny should always be used to distinguish between those who believe in one man with several wives and things like Polyandry or any other Poly lifestyle other than Polygyny.
APOSTLE
I like your Christ
I do not like your Christians
They are so unlike your Christ
Ghandi