I have had some experience in poly (3 years in limited consensual non-monogamy, then 4 years poly), so I'm not a newbie. I am, however, in a position right now where I'm really analyzing *why* I've been poly. I'm trying to figure out the basic principles that made poly resonate for me.
For example, I'm a feminist. Monogamy is a practice that is closely associated with patriarchal control of women's reproduction, and monogamous marriage has historically meant the ownership of women as chattel. Rejecting monogamy felt like rejecting that cultural attitude towards women, rejecting the idea that being in a relationship is all about owning a person.
Also, as a feminist, I have strong feelings about bodily autonomy. I haven't wanted a person in a relationship with me to presume they could control what I do with my body (so long as I am taking reasonable steps to protect their health through safer sex practices).
What else? What are the principles on which you base your decision to be poly?
(In full disclosure, poly is not something that resonates so strongly with me these days, which is why I'm trying to break it down and look at it at all the different angles.)
For example, I'm a feminist. Monogamy is a practice that is closely associated with patriarchal control of women's reproduction, and monogamous marriage has historically meant the ownership of women as chattel. Rejecting monogamy felt like rejecting that cultural attitude towards women, rejecting the idea that being in a relationship is all about owning a person.
Also, as a feminist, I have strong feelings about bodily autonomy. I haven't wanted a person in a relationship with me to presume they could control what I do with my body (so long as I am taking reasonable steps to protect their health through safer sex practices).
What else? What are the principles on which you base your decision to be poly?
(In full disclosure, poly is not something that resonates so strongly with me these days, which is why I'm trying to break it down and look at it at all the different angles.)