Indians Speak On Open Relationships And Polyamory

Bangalore: Sangeeta, a 29-year-old girl from Bangalore, has been involved in an open relationship for 8 years now. Sangeeta and her other half, who are in a committed relationship, has come to a conclusion that the best way to deal with a long-distance relationship was by hooking up with other people.

She has justified her stance by saying that the couple sees it as a way to keep their relationship alive. According to them, getting intimate with other people is just sex, a physical need.

They have added that 'emotional fidelity' is the benchmark of their relationship. Before engaging in a sexual relationship, the couple clears out the terms and conditions with their respective partners in an honest and transparent manner. To put it in simple words, the relationships are no strings attached in nature.

Open relationships and polyamory are gradually buzzing in college campuses, Reddit threads as well as in therapy sessions. Open relationship refers to the situation when a couple of experiments with sexual relationships outside their own relationships.

On the other hand, polyamory is the situation when partners can engage in multiple sexual relationships with the consent of all the people involved.

It is ethical and responsible non-monogamy where no one is in a single committed relationship.

But, in a largely conservative society like India, there is a considerable taboo attached to these concepts. These practices go against the mainstream Indian culture and the people who are engaged in these practices are often looked down on by society. 

Both Harsh and Yashika feel that any individual should not be judged for their choices and have cited that people have the right to do whatever they feel like doing within the parameters of the law.

Yashika feels that many people are trapped in this bubble that one can only ever love one person. She has also added that society has conditioned us to feel that it is bad and incorrect to be attracted to more than one person when it is only natural.

Harsh is also on the same page with Yashika. "Love is love. Being with multiple partners is a personal choice. Why should it affect the love and feelings that we already have for the people we are with?" he said.

A lot of people are discussing these issues on Facebook groups such as Polyamory India, Bangalore Polyamory, and Egalitarian Non-Monogamy.

Skore is encouraging to "#UnCondom" and celebrate the idea of ethical, consensual, and non-monogamous safe sex In solidarity with these communities, yet with the larger purpose of encouraging responsible behaviour.

Many couples prefer having sex without any barriers or protection. However, it can be risky for the good health of both partners and others who may get intimate with them.

Skore allows couples to participate in safe sex while removing all the reasons that people don't like using condoms. It can be anything from the rubbery feel/taste of the condom, the thickness of the condom, or simply the loss of pleasure, etc. 

Also read: Love can be found on dating apps

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