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| Introduction: Opening Up to the Possibilities: Challenging Monogamy and Revolutionizing Relationships | |
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| The Decline of Marriage and Monogamy | |
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| Monogamy's Mythology | |
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| Nonmonogamy as an Alternative Choice | |
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| My Research | |
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| Reading Opening Up | |
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| Choosing an Open Relationship | |
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| Pilots, Parties, and Polyamory: A Brief History | |
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| Swinging | |
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| Open Marriage | |
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| Multilateral Marriage | |
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| Gay Bathhouses and Sex Clubs | |
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| Lesbian Collectives and Sex Wars | |
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| Polyamory | |
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| Myths about Nonmonogamy | |
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| Is an Open Relationship for You? | |
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| Self-evaluation | |
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| Why People Choose Open Relationships | |
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| What Makes an Open Relationship Work? | |
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| Consent | |
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| Self-awareness | |
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| Communication | |
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| Honesty | |
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| Boundaries | |
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| Trust | |
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| Fidelity and Commitment | |
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| Styles of Open Relationships | |
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| Partnered Nonmonogamy | |
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| Definition | |
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| Examples | |
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| Potential Issues and Conflicts | |
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| Swinging | |
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| Definition | |
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| Beliefs and Attitudes | |
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| Swinging Styles | |
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| Community | |
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| Etiquette | |
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| Potential Issues and Conflicts | |
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| Polyamory | |
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| Definition | |
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| Beliefs and Attitudes | |
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| Hierarchical Poly | |
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| Nonprimary Partners | |
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| Nonhierarchical Poly | |
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| Nonsexual Poly Relationships | |
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| Solo Polyamory | |
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| Definition | |
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| Potential Issues and Conflicts | |
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| Polyfidelity | |
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| Definition | |
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| Benefits of Polyfidelity | |
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| Negotiation and Potential Issues | |
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| Monogamous/Nonmonogamous and Mono/Poly Combinations | |
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| Definition | |
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| Consent and Agreement | |
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| Potential Issues and Conflicts | |
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| Creating and Sustaining Your Relationships | |
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| Designing Your Open Relationship | |
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| Drawing the Outline | |
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| Filling in the Details | |
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| Negotiation | |
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| Rules and Agreements | |
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| The Myth of Equality | |
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| The Relationship Contract | |
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| Jealousy and Other Intense Feelings | |
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| Jealousy | |
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| Envy | |
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| Insecurity | |
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| Possessiveness | |
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| Feeling Excluded | |
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| Coping with Jealousy | |
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| Fear of Abandonment | |
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| Resentment | |
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| Compersion | |
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| Common Challenges and Problems | |
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| New Relationship Energy | |
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| Time Management | |
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| Miscommunication | |
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| Agreement Violation | |
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| Seeking Help | |
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| Opening Up Again: When Something Changes | |
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| A New Desire | |
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| A New Orientation | |
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| A New Relationship | |
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| Falling in Love | |
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| From Monogamous to Nonmonogamous | |
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| From Nonmonogamous to Monogamous | |
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| From Primary To Nonprimary | |
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| Coping with Change | |
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| Coming Out (or Not), Finding Community, Creating Families | |
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| Benefits of Coming Out | |
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| Risks of Coming Out | |
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| Deciding What's Right for You | |
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| Your Coming Out | |
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| Finding Community | |
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| Families, Tribes, and Networks | |
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| Raising Children | |
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| Benefits and Risks of Coming Out to Children | |
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| What to Consider Before You Tell Them | |
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| How to Tell Them | |
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| Practical Issues | |
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| Safer Sex and Sexual Health | |
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| Safer Sex | |
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| Sexually Transmitted Infections | |
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| Legal and Practical Issues | |
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| Housing Laws | |
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| Property Ownership | |
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| Employment Benefits | |
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| Legal Designations and Documents | |
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| Children | |
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| The Future of Relationships | |
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| Appendixes | |
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| Notes | |
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| Resource Guide | |
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| Books | |
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| Conferences and Events | |
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| GLBT/Queer | |
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| Local and Regional Organizations | |
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| National Organizations | |
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| Online Groups and Lists | |
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| Poly-friendly Professionals | |
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| Research and Activism | |
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| Spirituality | |
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| Websites | |
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| About the Interviewees | |
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| About the Author | |