Fifty Years of Polyamory in America: A Guided Tour of a Growing Movement

Fifty Years of Polyamory in America is a unique book that explores the history of the polyamory movement in America over the last 50 years. It covers two generations of Americans, the people and organizations they founded, and how it has changed their lives and affected the culture as a whole. The book is written in an entertaining and easily accessible style, and includes personal stories from advocates and practitioners.

Format: Hardback
Length: 162 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Fifty Years of Polyamory in America: A Guided Tour to a Growing Movement is a unique book among the many on polyamory, as it encompasses the entire history of the polyamory movement. Instead of focusing on the experiences of a few individuals exploring alternative lifestyles, it delves into the lives of two generations of Americans, the people and organizations they founded, the choices they made, and the profound impact it has had on their lives and the broader culture. Written in an engaging and accessible style, the authors trace the history of alternative sexual relationship styles, beginning with a brief glimpse into colonial times, the Mormon and Oneida movements of the 1840s to 1970s, and the modern-day influences that began in the 1950s.

Polyamory, which literally means "many loves," challenges the traditional notion of monogamy in relationships. Typically, polyamory refers to emotional/sexual relationships involving multiple partners. Common applications of polyamory include open marriages, triads (three people), two-couple "marriages," and larger groups like intimate networks. Swingers, who often identify as poly, are a subset of non-monogamy.

Throughout Fifty Years of Polyamory in America, we embark on a journey to explore the history of the polyamory movement: from its clinical definitions and attempts at psychiatric treatment to the emergence of advocacy groups in the 1960s and 70s, and finally to contemporary practitioners and the future of the movement. A diverse range of personal stories from advocates and practitioners serves as a guiding narrative, taking us to the present day, highlighting the struggles and successes of the polyamory movement throughout its evolution.

Weight: 327g
Dimension: 218 x 148 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538169759