Is an open relationship for you?
CHALLENGING the boundaries of traditional relationships to explore open relationships or other unorthodox unions is just how far some couples are willing to go in their quest for ‘happiness’ in a world where almost 50 per cent of all marriages end in divorce.
But how many couples are willing to make a sacrifice this big — sharing their spouses sexually and in rare cases emotionally with someone whom their partner has expressed interest in, in a bid to reignite the flames of their flagging relationship?
Roderick:
No. An open relationship breaks the ties that bind a relationship/marriage. I see that as being wrong. There are many things that can and should be done to rekindle the flame in a relationship. Making a relationship open is putting an end to either months or years of what has been shared between both parties. If I was in a relationship that I couldn’t save, I would allow her to go if she wanted, or leave if she wanted me to, but an open relationship? I could never see through it or even around it. Better to end it than have one foot in and the other out.
Stacy:
I hate the thought of seeing my man with someone else, much less to condone it. I think a relationship should be between two people. The moment another party enters, that spells TROUBLE.
Sashana:
A relationship should be between two people who are committed to one another. Having an open marriage will more than likely lead to divorce. What happens if or when your partner falls in love with someone else? Having an open relationship will just complicate everything. It’s just not for me. I don’t care what kind of miracles they say it can do.
Michael:
I don’t even think this is a subject that should be broached in any serious relationship. You are part of a union, so you should love, honour and cherish one person for the rest of your life through the good times and the bad. Nowhere in the vows does it say that cheating is allowed, even with permission from your spouse, because in reality that is what you’re doing in an open marriage — you’re giving consent to cheat. One of the most important aspects of marriage is staying faithful and true to the one you’re with. Anybody who even thinks this is okay was never ready for marriage in the first place.
Josimar:
I would be concerned about my partner or myself being susceptible to STIs. It could also desecrate the sanctity of the union.
McWayne:
There comes a point when we both know it is ending. No need for us to keep lying to each other and most importantly, to ourselves. If we’ve reached the point where the only way to save your marriage is through an open relationship, that’s a clear indication that it is time to go. If we can’t rekindle whatever love we had for each other to make us stay in the relationship, getting a third party will not help. Someone is bound to feel left out, someone is bound to get hurt, and I refuse to let that person be me. Telling me that you need an open relationship is you telling me that I am not good enough for you anymore. It is you telling me that you want to be with someone else but you don’t have the heart to tell me it’s over, so to spare my feelings and string me along you are suggesting an open relationship.
Chido:
Why not end the relationship and talk to other people if your love life has become so humdrum? A relationship is between two people, so you have to find other ways (other than getting a third or fourth party involved) to make things work, or leave. My take on this is that if I am bored in a relationship, I leave, bored in a marriage, I work on it. I don’t share, and besides you expose yourself to diseases, uncertainty should your partner become pregnant, plus I am mad jealous and it would make me insecure.
