Polyamory: The End of Marriage?

Just for a minute, let's do a thought experiment. Let's set aside all of the emotion and consider whether the evangelists for open marriage might have a point. Most marriages in america do end in... See More

Just for a minute, let's do a thought experiment. Let's set aside all of the emotion and consider whether the evangelists for open marriage might have a point. Most marriages in america do end in divorce so maybe adding other lovers to the mix could improve the odds. To test this extremely controversial theory, we went into the home of what is known as a polyamorous family. Yep. There are three in that bed and the little one says -- are you happy you came over? We would like to see you more. Michael is married to that woman. When you called me and you're like we're in jamaica and I was like oh, I miss you guys. They have been happily married for 12 years but michael went away on vacation with the other lady on the left. 27-year-old rachel, his live in girlfriend. This loving trio are what's called polyamorous. One of my favorite things since we have all lived together is actually the fact that we do morning exercise. It's so improved my life because I -- and your butt. Yeah. Rachel moved in six months ago. I saw michael lit up and i saw him happy. If my wife saw my face light up when I looked at another woman, she would be pissed. She is probably threatened. There is a yoga and meditation and the free love vibe going on. We have a lot of sex and a lot of sex partners over the years. They call what they have a pod. Like dolphins. They practice safe sex and total honesty. That first rule is really about making sure that we have created the space in order to have the conversation. Crazy californians, I hear you mutter. This kind of relationship is becoming increasingly common. The divorce rate in the united states is over 50%. People are not as faithful. Really? Absolutely. The world has become a much smarter space. There is dating sites. You can go anywhere to meet somebody new. More open relationships might be a modern way to make it work. Monique admitted that she and her husband have something of an open marriage. Do you and sid have sex outside of the marriage? I have not had sex outside of my marriage with sydney. Could I have sex outside of my marriage with sydney? Yes. Could he have sex outside of the marriage? It's not a deal breaker. Is this something bigger? Polyomry is not -- the rubs and lotions side of things, I mean, everyday life? I've got a son. It takes a village to raise a child and it feels good to have that kind of support. And here is the child they are raising together. 6-year-old devin. I'm also grateful for this loving family that lives here. How do you explain this to him? He understands the word polyamoury. He doesn't know what sex is yet. When he goes to school and he brings dates home, this will probably be a little complicated for him. The family tree is is a little tricky for an adult to understand. Michael and caramela live with rachel. Are you accepting rachel because you don't want to lose michael? That's a really good asemgs. She's younger and I have to put up with that. What I have noticed is she has really enriched my life. Watching your spouse have sex with somebody else is not really my bag, I have got to say. It's not my bag either. No. Rachel also has another boyfriend, mikey, who lives in florida and she has a girlfriend as well as another male lover called james who is also romantically involved with caramela. Monogamy can be a beautiful agreement between people when they are deeply in love and don't have desire for another. But most people are just monogamous because their vows said I will fore sake all others for you. Caramela also has a girlfriend of two years. It is a nicer way of . So fun. And caramel a had a flint over the summer with one of michael's co-workers. And then there is tahl and jennifer. We are hoping to enlarge our community and potentially get a hotel. We have considered that where we would have a polyamorous hotel. That's part of the future dreams. That's very much what I see in the future. Living in the house with all of our lovers combined. A good reality tv show. This polyamory and dating has aired on show time. We do all the things that any other family would do except we have ten lovers. And way beyond. She is my girlfriend. Last year I was really possessive but I learned how to share her with michael. Why did they agree to lay out their lifestyle for all the world to see? Well, they're spreading the gospel of polyamoury, hoping to speed um acceptance. I think that society in ten years will be like this is a new paradigm. It is quite normal. San diego. Our thanks to nick who always seems to get the most