Understanding Non-Monogamies

Most social scientific work on intimate relationships has assumed a monogamous structure, or has considered anything other than monogamy only in the context of 'infidelity'. Yet, in recent years there has been a growing interest among researchers and the public in exploring various patterns of intimacy that involve open non-monogamy. This volume gathers contributions from academics, activists, and practitioners throughout the world to explore non-monogamous relationships. Featuring both empirical and theoretical pieces, contributors examine the history and cultural basis of various forms of non-monogamy, experiences of non-monogamous living, psychological understandings of relationship patterns, language and emotion, the discursive construction of mono-normativity as well as issues of race, class, disability, sexuality and gender. This volume will be of interest to academics and practitioners working in the social sciences and anyone who is seeking greater insight into the intricacies of non-monogamous relationships.

Meg Barker is a lecturer in psychology at the Open University and a sex and relationship therapist. She and Darren Langdridge have published Safe, Sane, Consensual: Contemporary Perspectives on Sadomasochism with Palgrave and are now editing a new journal, Psychology & Sexuality, with Taylor & Francis. Meg's research publications focus on sexualities and relationships.

Darren Langdridge is a senior lecturer in psychology at the Open University and a UKCP accredited existential psychotherapist. His research expertise is in sexualities and hermeneutic phenomenology. He has co-edited several books including Safe, Sane, Consensual, and has also authored a number of other books including Phenomenological Psychology: Theory, Research and Method (Pearson Education). He is currently co-editing the new journal Psychology & Sexuality.