There are many different kinds of relationships, and they have their own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, someone might say that being in a relationship means you can only have sex with that one person. That’s only true if you’re doing a conventional monogamous relationship. Many people happily and successfully do some form of ethical non monogamy.
ENM in turn has its own advantages and disadvantages. One of them is a high frequency of people going “I knew a non monogamous couple and they broke up” despite the fact that most monogamous couples break up, too. Just to get ahead of that.
Anyway. One of the common advantages I value is that people you have a relationship with are less likely to blow you off. A casual friend might bail on your invite, but it’s less likely a good friend or partner will.
The most common disadvantage is you’ll probably have to do some emotional work at some point. They’ll be having a problem and you’ll have to be there for them. That can be tough.
There are many different kinds of relationships, and they have their own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, someone might say that being in a relationship means you can only have sex with that one person. That’s only true if you’re doing a conventional monogamous relationship. Many people happily and successfully do some form of ethical non monogamy.
ENM in turn has its own advantages and disadvantages. One of them is a high frequency of people going “I knew a non monogamous couple and they broke up” despite the fact that most monogamous couples break up, too. Just to get ahead of that.
Anyway. One of the common advantages I value is that people you have a relationship with are less likely to blow you off. A casual friend might bail on your invite, but it’s less likely a good friend or partner will.
The most common disadvantage is you’ll probably have to do some emotional work at some point. They’ll be having a problem and you’ll have to be there for them. That can be tough.