Do open relationships work?

Question

What are your thoughts on open relationships? Can they work out with everyone being happy or are they doomed to crash and burn?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I would not be able to be in an open relationship. I prefer monogamous.
I knew of a couple who was in an open relationship, where they did swinging together... she slept with other guys while he slept with other girls while they were MARRIED. They eventually broke up.

I can't do that. I would prefer my guy just loved me and prefer me over all kinds of women ever.

Leafpool2 · Accepted Answer

They can but it's very hard. Everyone has to be really open (lol) to communication and trusting their partners. It's definitely not for everyone.

MlleCake · Accepted Answer

They can work. It takes a lot of work but many people are up to the challenge. It isn't for everyone though.

LokiWhite · Accepted Answer

They can work in a minority of cases but you have to communicate constantly and ensure everyone is on the same page and it honestly just sounds exhausting and if you love the person you're with, I wouldn't say it's worth the risk. If however you are thinking of going in to one for a test then go for it. If you do have hesitations then it might not be for you

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

It can work IF (and ONLY IF) ALL involved parties WANT an open relationship. I don't mean "will tolerate it to stay with my SO", I mean "actively WANT multiple partners." In the real world, what usually happens is that one person wants an open relationship and the other really doesn't, and in those situations, it is doomed to failure.

coachTanthony · Answer

YES they can but it's very rare. Sooner or later someone gets jealous or feelings get hurt. So if you are going to try it.. make sure its temporary.

hahahmm · Answer

If you mean more than just sex, I don’t get how it works. I can barely keep one woman happy. Keeping 2 or more happy would be a full time job. Probably would make me feel like crap if I put lots of effort in & she’s spending more time with other guy (s) than me too.

twotimestwo · Answer

I'm 49 years old and have friends with open marriages. Personally, they don't work for me and my relationships, I need an exclusive relationship, but I've had sex with women who are friends, with their husbands permission. They work fine, as long as both of you are on the same page, everybody knows everything and agrees, and everybody has the permissions. If you are interested in something like this, it's better to talk about it before starting the relationship.

Anonymous · Answer

It takes a certain kind of person for an open relationship to work. They have to have no jealousy when it comes to other people sleeping with their partner. No insecurity when it comes to sexual ability - worrying that someone else might be better in bed leads to jealousy and fear of the partner leaving them. Both need to be able to find other partners too, sometimes because it's so much easier for a girl to find sex than it is for a guy, she might have other partners while the guy struggles to find any or at least attractive ones, and this again causes jealousy. They have to trust that their partner will put them first above the others.

I was in an open relationship once. I was fine with it, I met another girl and my girlfriend met another guy. It didn't bother me. She got jealous though and asked me if we could be exclusive, so I did. Then she slept around behind my back anyway.

yetiakamothman · Answer

If our ancestors only followed their most basic sexual urges to have sex with as many people as possible, we'd be living in mud huts and s***ing in a hole in the ground all the while infected with HIV and god knows what else. Monogamy is healthy for the family, society, and most importantly the two people involved.

ConnorH · Answer

It all depends on the individuals in the relationship. Things such as new stress and needing extra attention but feeling they can't have that from their partner because of 1 or more known or unknown lovers of that partner. The jealousy and feelings of inferiority that can come from that tends to doom open relationships.

royalben · Answer

All of us have multiple relationship in our lives, parents, brothers, friends, but only romantic is limited to one which is limiting our human experience. Open relationship is as the same as exclusive relationship.. it depends on the 2 person in it to work it or not.

Browneye57 · Answer

Yes, they crash and burn. The vast majority.
Romantic couples are just not wired for sharing their one and only. That's why they're called a one and only. LOL
No, bringing a third party into a relationship, ANY third party, is a recipe for disaster. It will NEVER turn out like you think or want.

maggie123234 · Answer

You or your pattern will get jealous, even if your trying not to. One of you might get worried about the other falling in love. Which creates more conflict. But if you decide to, you have to put more work into open relationship then "closed relationship".

Aynsof · Answer

Potentially yes if all parties are equally on board
But that is rare most often one party wants it more than the other who will end up resentful because they not getting enough out of the arrangement
It can only work as long as everything remains equal

StableMind · Answer

This isn't a relationship as far as my views go if you're just in to that then that's up to you I say this because I can honestly say that there is no way you can prominently bond with 2 or more people on the same level at once (unless you found a way) and even if you can it wouldn't be the same type of bond.

Aevatar · Answer

I'm not entirely sure what you consider to be an open relationship. I'm polyamorous and have 2 girlfriends. They are dating each other as well as me. Everyone is free to "catch feelings" cause we're a stable relationship. We are open and honest and talk through our problems. We are a family.

SmoMan71 · Answer

They absolutely can work. They may be a bit more complicated than a “closed” relationship at times. But what relationship isn’t complicated.

DizzyDesii · Answer

Im sure they do since no ones committed. But ew i would never. there's no point in being in a relationship if they wanna be with lots of people

Finchie40 · Answer

I feel it would crash and burn I can't see how someone can Love someone knowing they having sex with someone else. The only way I can see it working is of you 2 r just friends with benefits not really a relationship

Hector46 · Answer

The point of an open relationship is the lack of commitment. A relationship with no commitment is doomed to fail, even if you enjoy it in the short term.

Anonymous · Answer

I understand how being with one person al your life can be a challenge. So I would try it only if there was no insecurities between eachother and that we are deeply in love. I would never have sex with another man but women, sure.

There would be rules of course. And the end result would to be extremely thought out. Such as if happens and someone says no more, that it stops.

Welshman2 · Answer

I know several couples in open relationships that work fine.

cancan73 · Answer

In general they don't work, someone gets jelous or starts catching feelings for someone they shouldn't, there are exceptions to the rule of course where a small minority of couples do make it work

Acegoolah · Answer

They can as long as you can be mature about it. Meaning if it's not for you it's not for you. But if it is, than it's no biggie, just be real with yourself.

zulfiqarali · Answer

Open relationship is all fantasy of a man but he falls for it when come to feelings as very possessive about his women... it may work at beginning but it fall when benefits are achieved

dropkicknj13 · Answer

Open relationship is a polite way of saying "I'm still shopping, but if I can't find anything better I am willing to settle for you"

Prof_Don · Answer

If both people want this and can refrain from being jealous... this can work. But the jealousy usually gets to at least one of the relationship participants!

QuinzelH · Answer

They can work if everyone follows the established rules AND if no one is agreeing only to make the other person happy.

TheCookieDealer · Answer

Damn, it's already difficult enough to find one girl and have things work out well, let alone doing the same with more people than one

Phoenix98 · Answer

An open "relationship" is not a relationship. The entire point of a relationship is to be with one person and be dedicated to them.

Rick912 · Answer

I know people in an open relationship and they are doing well. One couple has been in an open relationship for over 10 years. Another couple for only a few of years. It is not for everyone but it can work.

yacik · Answer

Are you serious? The odds of an open relationship working is like one to a million and trust me if you do have an example it's that one.

CuriousGeorge333 · Answer

Why be in a relationship if it is open? The whole point is to be with that someone and only be with that person. If it is an open one, then there is no need to waste someones time

Dchrls78104 · Answer

There are always tensions in such "relationships" because of the foreign element. Ultimately such relationships fail for this reason.

Dark_Angel4780 · Answer

I will only be in an open relationship or poly so I'd have to say yes

shep0612 · Answer

We dont have an open relationship persay but i choose who and whe she can fuck on thats the extent of her relationship with other peoples we have been togeather 7yr

Landshrk0068 · Answer

They can work, but it is mostly down to the people involved if it will or not.

dawnm902 · Answer

Some people find it ok and they’re happy. Who am I to judge?

UmangS · Answer

they are doomed as everyone has some insecurities and if not now then new can come up which can create disasters henceforth my answer

jdrrichmond · Answer

They only work with open communication and complete honesty. And, everyone involved has to agree to the situation of course.

newborn007 · Answer

Positively talking you've a chance to explore more... Negatively talking you want more of it now if you want new every time and you'll never get committed

Kelly6 · Answer

Yes open relationship can work if everyone trust each other

LegateLanius · Answer

Only if both of them really want it. Most of the time that doesn't happen.

Izzyiz10 · Answer

Closed/loyal relationships are way better!!!

Anonymous · Answer

They can work for a time, but eventually someone breaks the agreed upon rules of the arrangement and it all falls apart. It's human nature.

Ryuken · Answer

It all comes down to trust.  But yes they can work fine.

LiteSkinGreenEyez · Answer

Just depends on the people involved. Both have to be able and willing to share

bruinstoo · Answer

I am personallya jealous kind of guy. I don't think it would work for me but whatever floats your boat

lilwheat · Answer

it works for a short term relationship but if you want something long term an open relationship isn't the best choice

Anonymous · Answer

Can anybody please explain me what the open relationship is? Im totally serious.

broe96 · Answer

They can work but you guys need to set rules and the number one rule is you can't fall for then

Seppelson · Answer

I realy don't know. Hard to believe they are working for a long time

btlookin · Answer

I can but the big thing is trust trust is the issue

RohitDr · Answer

It can be an awesome experience if both parties are interested

Blake01 · Answer

Yes they can work out but it depends if always going back same person started with in end of day

daddybob777 · Answer

i say they are doomed cuz what if they find someone else that makes them happier

iForgotTheCar · Answer

In my opinion I do r think they would work out all that well that's just me I feel

chriscdi · Answer

By open do you mean everyone knows about it

shub09 · Answer

Without commitment nothing works.

BeenShook · Answer

Someone's going to get jealous sooner or later

D_Neo · Answer

Nope, and it only gets worse...

SecondGuy · Answer

Absolutely! I'm living proof

neoagent1 · Answer

I've never been in one so it's hard to say.

hayley69 · Answer

Been in a happy open relationship for 2 years

Do open relationships work?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Do open relationships work?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.