Why It's OK to Not Be Monogamous

Most people in long-term relationships experience the drawbacks of monogamy, such as self-discovery restrictions, friendship limits, sexual boredom, and a limited understanding of intimacy. However, Justin L. Clardy's book "Why It's OK to Not Be Monogamous" challenges the notion that non-monogamy among honest, informed, and consenting adults is morally impermissible. He demonstrates how polyamorous relationships can exemplify moral virtue and how social and political forces sustain and reward monogamous relationships. The book defines non-monogamy as a privative concept and discusses its prevalence in the United States, arguing that monogamy relies on continually demonizing non-monogamy to sustain its moral status. Finally, the book concludes with a focus on equality, asking what justice for polyamorous individuals might look like.

Format: Hardback
Length: 162 pages
Publication date: 28 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The downsides of monogamy are felt by most people engaged in long-term relationships, including restrictions on self-discovery, limits on friendship, sexual boredom, and a circumscribed understanding of intimacy. Yet, a happily ever after monogamy is assumed to be the ideal form of romantic love in many modern societies: a relationship that is morally ideal and will bring the most happiness to its two partners.

In Why Its OK to Not Be Monogamous, Justin L. Clardy deeply questions these assumptions. He rejects the claim that non-monogamy among honest, informed, and consenting adults is morally impermissible. He shows instead how polyamorous relationships can actually be exemplars of moral virtue. The book discusses how social and political forces sustain and reward monogamous relationships. The book defines non-monogamy as a privative concept; a negation of monogamy. Looking at its prevalence in the United States, the book explains how common criticisms of non-monogamy come up short. Clardy argues, as some researchers have recently shown, monogamy relies on continually demonizing non-monogamy to sustain its moral status. Finally, the book concludes with a focus on equality, asking what justice for polyamorous individuals might look like.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032450193