Love and Freedom: Transcending Monogamy and Polyamory

Jorge Ferrer's book Love and Freedom proposes a paradigm shift in how romantic relationships are conceptualized, advocating for a move beyond the monogamy and polyamory binary. He discusses critical categories that mediate the "mono-poly wars" and articulates three relational pathways to living in-between, through, and beyond the binary: fluidity, hybridity, and transcendence. This opens a fuzzy, liminal, and multivocal relational space that Ferrer calls novogamy, offering practical tools to transform jealousy and enhance relational freedom while addressing diversity and social justice issues.

Format: Hardback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2021
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

In his groundbreaking book, "In Love and Freedom," Jorge Ferrer proposes a paradigm shift in how romantic relationships are conceptualized, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of modern relationships. Just as the transgender movement challenged the traditional gender binary, Ferrer advocates for a parallel transformation of the relational style binary. This comprehensive book offers the first systematic exploration of relationship modes beyond monogamy and polyamory, introducing the concept of "relational freedom" as the ability to choose one's relational style free from biological, psychological, and sociocultural constraints.

To achieve these objectives, Ferrer delves into critical categories such as monopride/polyphobia and polypride/monophobia, which play a central role in the contemporary "mono–poly wars." These wars arise from mutual competition among monogamists and polyamorists, highlighting the ideological nature of these conflicts. Through a review of empirical literature on the psychological health and relationship quality of monogamous and polyamorous individuals and couples, Ferrer demonstrates the ideological underpinnings of these wars.

Next, Ferrer explores how monogamy and polyamory reinforce each other, ultimately contributing to the perpetuation of the mono/poly binary. He then presents three relational pathways to navigate the in-between, through, and beyond the mono/poly binary: fluidity, hybridity, and transcendence. By transcending this binary, Ferrer opens up a fuzzy, liminal, and multivocal relational space that he calls novogamy.

In this transformative book, readers are provided with practical tools to overcome jealousy and enhance their relational freedom. Ferrer also raises important issues of diversity and social justice, urging readers to be mindful of these aspects in their relationships. Additionally, he offers novel criteria to evaluate the success of intimate relationships and presents a transformed vision of romantic love.

"In Love and Freedom" is a groundbreaking work that challenges traditional notions of romantic relationships and offers a fresh perspective on the possibilities for love and connection in the modern world. By advocating for relational freedom and exploring alternative relationship modes, Ferrer empowers readers to create fulfilling and equitable relationships that transcend societal norms.

Weight: 458g
Dimension: 239 x 160 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538156568