Revising Relationship Rules for Modern Times
Watch the following videos and reflect on how your ideas of relationships and marriage differ from
those outlined., What do you see as being benefits and downfalls of each?
Non-monogamy, outlined ideas of relationships and marriage. One of the video's ideas is consensual non-
monogamy as an alternative to the high rate of divorce. Nirel says that all the problems in marriages and
relationships are brought about by monogamy. She recommends a shift in the monogamy perspective to
consensual non-monogamy, a romantic relationship where all partners agree to engage in sexual or
romantic relationships with others. She tries to justify consensual non-monogamy by saying that about 4-
5 percent of Americans are doing it. Although consensual non-monogamy helps create large social
networks and provides sexual variety, I believe it is not the ideal solution for marriages and relationships.
>This is because it may create conflict over the female-mating rate, it increases sexual dissatisfaction
among female partners, breeds jealousy, hatred, and quarrel. Ideas of Relationship and Marriage
Revising Relationship Rules for Modern Times
Dr. Meg Barker, in her YouTube video, discusses rewriting the rules of relationships. She highlights old rules that are gender-biased. For example, women were told to wait for men to take the initiative. They were advised not to talk too much, laugh too much, or make too many demands.
Dr. Meg points out that these outdated rules can harm relationships. People often pass on these old rules without questioning them. This can make it difficult to adopt new, more helpful rules. As a result, relationships may suffer.
She recommends that instead of holding on to one person tightly because they meet all of our
needs, we should hold all our relationships more gently and appreciate what we get Some of the old rules may indeed be damaging to relationships. However, not all
old rules are unhelpful in relationships, and not all new rules may cause relationships to thrive. Therefore,
it is no longer about old and new rules but what works out for each couple. This is because what works
out for one couple may not work for another because we are all different. Ideas of Relationship and Marriage