Polyfamily

Polyfamily

Polyfamily-similar to an intimate network, polyfamily refers to a group of individuals who are all sexually involved and deeply devoted and committed to each other. Individuals within this group live together and all identify as part of the same family or married to each other. There are many variations that can occur within a poly family. The family may consist of a triad: three people who romantically and sexually involved with each other. For example, Jack and Jill decide to bring a third person, Jenna, into their relationship. Jenna now becomes an equal part of the coupling. Another possibility is when lovers become introduced to each other and they all begin to become an equal extension of the network. For example, Jack and his lovers meet Jill and her lovers. Over time, due to the increasing comfort level, emotional, and sexual connection, all individuals join and describe themselves as a family unit. Everyone to some degree is responsible for household chores, taking care of the kids, preparing meals, finances, satisfying each other’s needs, and sexual gratification. In most cases, the lovers consider themselves Poly-polyfidelitous, which means everyone maintain sexual fidelity to each other. Poly-families may elect to have open or closed group marriage. An open group partnership means everyone involved in this group or network have primary attachments to each other. People have the option to seek outside lovers if they wish. If the group defines themselves as a closed partnership, then this means all lovers are only bound to each other and are not permitted to have lovers outside of the network.

 

This was defined by Sex Therapy in Philadelphia