How American Singles Really Feel About Consensual Non-Monogamy

The 2024 Match Singles in America report reveals that nearly one third of singles in the United States have engaged in consensually non-monogamous relationships, challenging the conventional idea of traditional s*xual monogamy. Despite this shift, 49% of singles still express a preference for traditional monogamous relationships. The study identifies various forms of consensual non-monogamy, such as polyamory, open relationships, swinging, and being monogamish, and notes that this trend is gaining popularity in mainstream culture through media representation. Anthropologist Helen Fisher suggests that the current interest in consensual non-monogamy harks back to the societal norms of hunting and gathering communities, where women had more s*xual freedom. The positive shift in perception towards non-monogamous relationships is seen as part of a broader cultural movement toward self-expression, with many singles reporting that these experiences have positively impacted their understanding of relationships and contributed to emotional maturity.