ENM in the news: the 2024 round up!
- Amy Ardern-Jennings
- Feb 1
- 6 min read
Going forward, I'll do a more regular round up, but to kick start this blog series, here is a round up of some of the stories from 2024...
In 2024, polyamory and ethical non-monogamy gained increased visibility and acceptance, with various news outlets highlighting personal stories and societal trends.
Caveat: not all of these articles approach ENM in the same way I would, so please take some of the content with a grain of salt. I believe it's useful to see what the media is saying about ENM and polyamory, in order to better understand general societal attitudes and acceptance (and how these are changing), and why people who don't practice ENM or are new to the community have the perceptions that they do.
For a list of positive and vetted resources and content-creators that I do agree with, look out for my resource list, coming soon!
Legal Developments
United Kingdom - Employment Tribunal Rulings: In 2024, there were instances where UK employment tribunals considered cases involving discrimination based on relationship structures. While the UK's Equality Act does not explicitly protect polyamorous individuals, these cases have brought attention to the need for clearer legal protections against discrimination for those in consensual non-monogamous relationships.
Australia - Parental Recognition in Victoria: In 2024, the state of Victoria amended its Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act to allow for the registration of more than two parents on a child's birth certificate. This change acknowledges the reality of diverse family structures, including polyamorous families, and ensures that all parental figures have legal recognition.
USA - Anti-Discrimination Law, California: In May 2024, Berkeley enacted a law prohibiting discrimination based on relationship or family structure. This legislation makes it illegal to discriminate against individuals in polyamorous relationships in areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Canada - British Columbia's Family Law Act: In 2024, British Columbia's Family Law Act was interpreted to recognize polyamorous relationships in certain legal contexts. This interpretation allows for multiple adults in a consensual relationship to be acknowledged as legal parents of a child, provided they are all committed to the child's upbringing. This development offers legal recognition and protection to polyamorous families, ensuring that children in such families have their parental figures legally acknowledged.
Week of Visibility for Non-Monogamy: In July 2024, the first annual "Week of Visibility for Non-Monogamy" was observed, dedicated to promoting acceptance and understanding of non-monogamous relationships. Advocates used this opportunity to call for equal legal protections for polyamorous individuals, emphasizing the need for anti-discrimination measures and legal recognition.
Legal Recognition Efforts - Ongoing Discussions: The increasing visibility of polyamorous relationships has sparked discussions about their legal recognition. Advocates argue that, similar to the journey toward marriage equality for same-sex couples, polyamorous relationships deserve legal acknowledgment to ensure equal rights and protections. However, as of 2024, such relationships remain largely unrecognized in legal frameworks, presenting challenges in areas like inheritance rights, hospital visitation, and parental responsibilities.
Academic Research
Reframing the Role of Communication: A peer-reviewed essay by Portuguese researcher Daniel Cardoso, "Reframing the role of communication in consensual and/or ethical (non)monogamies: A proposal for a change in academic terminology" considers the evolution of terminology related to non-monogamy and proposes alternative definitions and phrases.
Children's Experiences of Polyamorous Families: A new study provides a rare insight into the experiences of children growing up in polyamorous families. Children in Canada with one or more parent in a polyamorous relationship were interviewed. The study found that children generally appreciate their parents' romantic partners and the positive contribution they had on their parents' lives, by making them happy.
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
Acceptability of Non-Monogamy in the UK: Studies have indicated varying levels of openness toward non-monogamous relationships among the UK population. Research from Swansea University revealed that a third of UK men are open to the idea of having more than one wife or long-term girlfriend, while only 11% of women expressed similar openness, reflecting differing attitudes toward polygamous relationships.
OPEN's 2024 Community Survey: The Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy (OPEN) conducted a comprehensive survey in 2024, gathering responses from 4,554 individuals across 71 countries. This survey provides detailed insights into the lives, experiences, and challenges faced by non-monogamous individuals globally.
Critique of Non-Monogamy Research: An article in Deseret News critically examines the methodologies of studies promoting the benefits of non-monogamy, highlighting potential flaws and the need for long-term research to fully understand the implications of polyamorous and CNM relationships.
Societal Trends and Acceptance
Dating App Growth: The dating app Feeld, designed for the sexually open-minded and accommodating various non-conventional relationships, including ethical non-monogamy, has seen significant growth. Since January 2019, it has been downloaded 33,000 times in Ireland, with a notable increase in recent years: 2,000 downloads in 2019, 6,000 in 2022, and 10,000 in 2023. Experts attribute this surge to disillusionment with traditional dating and reduced stigmas around alternative relationships.
Ethical Non-Monogamy Trends: "Ethical non-monogamy" is gaining popularity, allowing couples to have consensual romantic or sexual relationships with others. Feeld, reports a 34% increase in couples seeking a third partner and a 26% rise in couples looking to connect with other couples. Couples practicing this lifestyle emphasize transparency and communication, often using shared profiles on dating apps to ensure all parties are aware of each other's presence and intentions. Despite the potential for jealousy and discomfort, many couples find that these experiences strengthen their relationships.
Emergence of 'Tolamory': The term "tolamory," combining "tolerate" and "polyamory," describes relationships where one partner silently consents to the other's external romantic or sexual engagements. This arrangement reflects a re-evaluation of monogamous expectations in long-term relationships.
Understanding Polycule: The concept of a "polycule" refers to a network of interconnected romantic and platonic relationships within the polyamorous community. These structures emphasize flexibility, open communication, and shared responsibilities among members.
Redefining Intimacy: A Medium article explores various relationship structures, including companionate relationships and tolyamory, contributing to the broader discourse on the spectrum of non-monogamy and the evolving definitions of intimacy.
Media Coverage
Television Representation: The relationship dynamics of public figures, such as former boxer David Haye's involvement in a throuple, sparked public interest and discussions. This attention led to the development of new TV shows exploring couples transitioning from monogamy to polyamory, indicating a growing curiosity and acceptance of diverse relationship structures.
Reality Television: The reality TV show "Couple to Throuple," which premiered on Peacock, explores couples experimenting with polyamory by inviting a third person into their relationships. Hosted by Scott Evans, the show delves into the complexities and dynamics of forming throuples, contributing to mainstream discussions about polyamory.
Increased Visibility: Ethical non-monogamy and polyamory gained prominence in UK media, with various articles exploring personal experiences and societal implications. For instance, The Guardian featured readers' accounts of ethical non-monogamy, shedding light on the complexities and dynamics of such relationships.
Opinion Pieces: Discussions around non-monogamous relationships have been featured in opinion pieces, exploring the rise of such relationships and questioning societal norms. These articles delve into the challenges and benefits of non-monogamy, encouraging readers to consider diverse relationship dynamics.
The Guardian | The Atlantic | The New Yorker
Personal Narratives
Open Marriages and Parenting: Danielle, a mother and relationship specialist, shared her experience of raising children within an open marriage of 14 years. She emphasized that non-monogamy, characterized by strong communication and clear boundaries, has enriched her family life and personal well-being.
Throuple Living: A Northern California throuple—Alana, Kevin, and Megan—gained attention by sharing their polyamorous lifestyle on TikTok under the handle "Camp Throuple." They discuss managing household responsibilities, finances, and emotional dynamics within their relationship. Despite facing online criticism, they focus on promoting understanding and acceptance of non-traditional relationships.
Non-Monogamy and Cheating: Kenna Bethany, a 26-year-old actress from London, identifies as non-monogamous, preferring relationships with multiple partners over monogamy. She emphasizes that non-monogamy does not equate to cheating and highlights the importance of honesty, communication, and respect for boundaries. Kenna believes that non-monogamous relationships are about the freedom to explore various connections while maintaining clear guidelines and ensuring no one is misled.
Polyamory as Identity: Alice Lovegood from Bristol, UK, discussed her journey of embracing polyamory after nine years in a monogamous marriage. She believes that polyamory is integral to her identity and has strengthened her relationship through enhanced communication and understanding.
These stories and conversations from 2024 show how ideas about love, commitment, and relationships are changing, with more people opening up to and exploring ethical non-monogamy in today's world.
Which articles did you find most interesting?
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