Consensual Nonmonogamy in Pregnancy and Parenthood: Experiences of Bisexual and Plurisexual Women With Different-Gender Partners

Manley, Melissa H.; Legge, Melissa Marie; Flanders, Corey E.; Goldberg, Abbie E.; Ross, Lori E.

doi:10.1080/0092623x.2018.1462277

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…While being a parent may be more privileged in some social contexts, in this study, being a parent was associated with higher enacted CNM-related stigma. This finding supports previous research that found that sexual minority parents experienced prejudice and judgment from others as a result of their involvement in consensual nonmonogamy (Manley et al, 2018). This finding may be explained by the historical association between parenthood and more traditional (i.e., heteronormative, mononormative) paradigms that view consensual nonmonogamy as a deviation from the norm.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Enacted and anticipated stigma related to consensual nonmonogamy among LGBTQ+ adults.

Stults¹,

Abreu²,

Tjia³

et al. 2023

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

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Consensual nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships (e.g., open relationships) and identities (e.g., polyamorous) are becoming increasingly common, including among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQþ) people. However, few studies have examined stigma related to CNM relationships and identities (i.e., CNM-related stigma) in the general population, and even less in LGBTQþ populations. Additionally, existing studies of CNM-related stigma often do not distinguish between different forms of stigma (e.g., enacted vs. anticipated). To address this gap in the literature, this study sought to examine (a) sociodemographic differences in enacted and anticipated CNM-related stigma and (b) the association between enacted and anticipated stigma among a sample of (N = 1,000) LGBTQþ people. Using data from a cross-sectional, Internet-based survey, we observed sociodemographic differences in enacted CNM-related stigma by generation status, gender identity, employment, current relationship, and parental status. Differences in anticipated stigma were observed by age, sexual identity, education, CNM identity, current relationship, and marital status. Our findings also reveal a strong association between enacted and anticipated CNM-related stigma. Taken together, these findings suggest that both forms of stigma are commonly experienced amongLGBTQþ people, and that certain LGBTQþ subgroups may be at heightened risk for such experiences. Indeed, LGBTQþ subgroups with less social privilege (e.g., people with disabilities) may be particularly vulnerable to CNM-related stigma. It is imperative that health care providers facilitate open and nonjudgmental discussions about relationship diversity and experiences of CNM-related stigma with their LGBTQþ patients. Additional research in this area is also warranted, given the limitations of the extant literature. Public Significance StatementThere is little research regarding the stigma experienced by LGBTQþ people who are engaged in consensual nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships and/or who identify as CNM. The current study found that anticipated CNM-related stigma affects LGBTQþ individuals in relation to the intersection of other identities, such as age, sexual identity, and current relationship status, among others. Also, a strong association between enacted and anticipated CNM-related stigma was also found.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Enacted and anticipated stigma related to consensual nonmonogamy among LGBTQ+ adults.

Stults¹,

Abreu²,

Tjia³

et al. 2023

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

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show abstract

“…These results highlight the importance of finding a chosen social network that provides support and validation, in ways that may not reflect traditional norms of biological or legal familial relationships. Other research has identified similar aspects of community as being important benefits to CNM relationships (Manley et al, 2018;Moors et al, 2017a;Sheff, 2010). In a longitudinal study consisting of interviews and observations of polyamorous families, shared parenting and resources was viewed as a benefit of polyamory (Sheff, 2010).…”

Section: Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Motivations for Engaging in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships

et al. 2021

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Sexual, romantic, and intimate relationships provide opportunities for individual and interpersonal fulfillment and the enhancement of well-being. Though research has identified that consensual non-monogamy (CNM) offers unique relational benefits, little work has examined why individuals pursue CNM relationships. Both self-determination theory and self-expansion theory provide frameworks for understanding the range of intra-and interpersonal motives for choosing or negotiating a multipartnered relationship. We explored the reasons for which people engage in CNM and discuss how motivations for CNM might be linked to well-being and need fulfillment. Our study used a qualitative approach to examine the motivations individuals report for engaging in CNM relationships. As part of a larger online survey, participants completed open-ended questions examining motivations for, and experiences of, CNM relationships. Data from participants who indicated that they were currently in a CNM partnership was selected for the analyses (n = 540). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, within a critical realist framework. Motivations were organized into six interconnected themes: reasons related to autonomy, beliefs and value systems, relationality, sexuality, growth and expansion, and pragmatism. Individuals reported diverse reasons for engaging in CNM relationships; reasons addressed both individual and relational needs and well-being. Findings contrast with stereotypic views of CNM relationships as unstable/ unfulfilling or that individuals engage in CNM because of relationship problems. The findings may facilitate therapeutic interventions for counselors working with individuals who are in the process of negotiating or re-negotiating relationship boundaries.

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“…Several parents did highlight communication skills as a strength of polyamorous relationships and communities and as an ability they had intentionally cultivated within their own relationships. The emphasis on communication mirrors previous research in which mothers discussed negotiating changes and setting boundaries to navigate CNM relationships during the transition to parenthood (Manley et al, 2018), as well as other literature on engaged communication as a strength of CNM relationships (Conley and Moors, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…For example, Huebner et al (2012) interviewed gay male parent couples with varied relationship agreements, who reported that becoming parents decreased sexual opportunities with other partners. Similarly, in a study of sexual minority mothers, Manley et al (2018) found that several women who expressed interest in CNM chose to focus on their primary relationship rather than seek new partners or relationship experiences during the pregnancy and postpartum period. Some of the mothers also described how increased caution (e.g., about STI risk, relationship stability, or impacts on family) led them to close the relationship temporarily or necessitated increased communication around boundaries and comfort (Manley et al, 2018).…”

Section: Queer Theory and Cnm Parentingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, in a study of sexual minority mothers, Manley et al (2018) found that several women who expressed interest in CNM chose to focus on their primary relationship rather than seek new partners or relationship experiences during the pregnancy and postpartum period. Some of the mothers also described how increased caution (e.g., about STI risk, relationship stability, or impacts on family) led them to close the relationship temporarily or necessitated increased communication around boundaries and comfort (Manley et al, 2018). In the current study, parents are presented with the unique challenge of navigating partner contact and relationships amidst a pandemic and the risk of viral transmission.…”

Section: Queer Theory and Cnm Parentingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Consensually nonmonogamous parent relationships during COVID-19

Manley

Goldberg

2021

Sexualities

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents in consensually nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships navigated public health directives to social distance and avoid contact between households. Many parents practicing CNM share romantic, sexual, and coparenting relationships across households, and the pandemic introduced challenges and opportunities for innovation in maintaining connection. This qualitative study sought to explore the experiences, challenges, and adaptations of CNM parents, using survey and interview data from 70 US parents collected between May and December 2020. Thematic analysis highlighted that many parents spent less time with non-cohabiting partners and more time with cohabiting partners and children, but also adapted via creative strategies such as incorporating partners into a quarantine pod, inviting partners to move in, or connecting over technology. These data illuminate the diverse ways that CNM parents engaged in and “queered” family and partner relationships during the pandemic.

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Consensual Nonmonogamy in Pregnancy and Parenthood: Experiences of Bisexual and Plurisexual Women With Different-Gender Partners

Cited by 14 publications

References 49 publications

Enacted and anticipated stigma related to consensual nonmonogamy among LGBTQ+ adults.

Enacted and anticipated stigma related to consensual nonmonogamy among LGBTQ+ adults.

Motivations for Engaging in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships

Consensually nonmonogamous parent relationships during COVID-19

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