The problems with open relationships

Open relationships can be a way for couples to explore their desires and needs outside of their normal relationship – whilst still relying on their open relationship for intimacy and love. These kinds of open relationships can be successful but frequently a slew of problems arise in open relationships that often end either the open part or the relationship itself. In this piece we’re going to examine some of the problems that frequently arise in open relationships and discuss potential solutions.

The most common problem in all open relationships is jealousy. In reality, despite how much many of us like to kid ourselves, we all get jealous over certain things. Relationships are one of the most common sources of jealousy we experience. We become attached to our partner and often are inclined to act covetously towards them. An open relationship therefore exacerbates this problem as we are forced to share our partner with another or others over time. As a relationship develops this can prove an increasing problem. The potential solutions to this problem are stopping having an open relationship as things progress or making sure both you and your partner can remain jealous free. Overcoming jealousy is possible in an open relationship providing both you and your partner understand that yours is the only relationship in the arrangement.
The next common problem is time. Whilst time might seem like an odd problem an open relationship means that you and your partner will both be spending periods apart with other partners. This means you will be going out together less and will both have days and nights where one person is with another partner and the other is not. Sharing your time in this way can prove to be incredibly frustrating, angering and in some cases emotional depressing. Knowing your partner is sleeping with someone else, or might be, whilst you are sat in front of the TV alone can put a lot of strain on your relationship. The only potential solutions to this are to set times when you will always be together and make sure that you are either out at the same times or together at the same times. Whilst not always possible attempting this can help a relationship.

The final problem we’re going to look at is relationship development. As a relationship progresses one or more partners are likely to want to end the open part of the relationship and “settle down”. This can cause problems if the other person doesn’t want to and can strain a relationship and cause its termination. This is a particularly hard problem to avoid as it normally arises in the course of the relationship meaning the open relationship has been going on for some time. In this situation either you and your partner will be able to successfully end the open side of the relationship or the relationship will end.

Open relationships really are a very tricky relationship to “get right” and you are risking a lot by deciding to enter one. That is not to say you can’t be successful in them only that the majority of these relationships fail after a while. If your relationship is casual this might not be a problem but if you are seriously considering a long term future it is very risky.