I agree with MacNfries as well as Jeff & Christy!
I don't believe that society should dictate how consenting adults go about finding relationships. If folks (in what ever combination) find happiness, and no one is harmed, then good on them!
MacNfries is right, open relationships are vastly different that Poly relationships. Open relationships can take countless forms while Poly relationships focus on a group of people living in a committed state - an extended marriage if you will.
Jeff & Christy have presented an interesting solution, albeit rather complex. While Family Courts may become involved, I personally don't see it becoming that 'forward leaning' - at least in the United States. Face it, the country is just too conservative to enact the type of legal system that would embrace that solution set.
I have said in other threads, while we are on the cusp of a 'relationship revolution' I strongly believe that mandatory sex education be introduced in the schools. Consider that we teach life skills already - math, english, science and the like. But no one in an official capacity wants to touch the most basic life skill there is - reproduction and the countless forms it manifests itself in.
Today, there is a huge push to accept gay, lesbian, transgender, and whatever perspective the individual has of themselves. But how confusing that must be for a baby, it 6th grade to see a playmate, whom she may have grown up with, now identifying herself as transgender? Who is educating that baby in the understanding, at the basic level, and acceptance at the social level? Currently, no one. From what I understand, it's being handled in a hap-hazard manner at best.
The same can be extended to interracial situations. ******* comes home from school to she her mom having 'fun' with a Black (or any man for that matter!) man. How is that addressed?
******* today see a ton of stuff on the internet. How do they differentiate between what is pandered off to them as 'normal' sexual activities and fringe? If the differential is taught in school, they would be armed with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
Basically, what I'm advocating is the sex and relationship information should be regarded in the same manner as math, english and other topics are, without preconceived notions, in an intelligent manner.
It's known fact that it isn't being done in the home. And when it is, it's done with the prejudice of the parents being either intentionally or unintentionally being injected into the lesson. I know it was done when I was growing up, and I only wish that I had been armed with the facts before I made some REALLY stupid decisions! Thank goodness smart phones with cameras weren't around then!!!
I'll get off my soapbox now. I think this thread has some awesome thoughts and theories as to where relationships are headed. But until folks, starting with the *******, are provided with the proper information, it will take twice as long and hurt a lot of people unnecessarily before a general understanding is achieved. Probably not in my lifetime!