Latest news with #monogamy
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Monogamy vs. monogamish? 7% of Americans are in monogamish relationships
Monogamy vs. monogamish? 7% of Americans are in monogamish relationships Summer is heating up, and love—or at least lust—is in the air. However, love is no longer the 'until death do us part' variety, according to a recent Hims survey. A majority of men (64%) and women (57%) in America say monogamy is outdated, unrealistic, or downright impossible. Others say they just want to keep their options open. When asked about their feelings towards monogamy, America tipped non-monogamous, with 39% of respondents saying monogamy is the only type of relationship they'd consider, and the other 61% saying otherwise. Specifically, 9% say it's aspirational but not realistic; 9% say it's old fashioned and outdated; 7% say they don't believe it's possible; and 6% saying it's possible for women but not men (hmm). Another 7% say they are keeping their options open, and 11% say it just depends—the more sexual options people have, the less monogamous they are likely to be (see Monogamy By the Numbers). 12% say the jury's out—they just aren't sure what they think about monogamy one way or the other. Q: Which describes your feelings toward monogamy? 39% It's the only type of relationship I'd consider 11% It depends on how many sexual options a person has—the more options people have, the less monogamous they are likely to be 9% It's aspirational but unrealistic 9% It's old-fashioned and outdated 7% I don't believe people can be monogamous 7% I just don't want to be in a monogamous relationship 6% It's possible for women but not for men 12% I'm not sure America is Open to Open Relationships Backing up the finding that monogamy is falling out of favor, or at least not as expected as it used to be, America was split on whether they preferred marriage or something other than tying the knot. 54% of respondents said old-fashioned courtship and marriage was their preferred path, with a close 46% saying they are looking for something else. Furthermore, 7% of respondents are currently in an open relationship, including 15% of Gen Z respondents (see below), about the same percentage of respondents who report not being married, but in a monogamous relationship (8%). Sexual experimentation also tied with sexual comfort as America's preferred way to express their romantic relationships (49% vs. 51%, respectively) and one-third of respondents (32%) value 'a little mystery' over a serious commitment, with women and men being about equally as likely to want some wiggle room in their relationship (29% of women want to keep things open vs. 34% of men). Gen Z is the least monogamous generation to date—but they're still looking for love, IRL As a generation that has consistently bucked the trends, it's not surprising that Gen Z is the least likely to say monogamy is their preferred relationship style. 68% of Gen Zs, including 65% of Gen Z women and 71% of Gen Z men, say they'd consider non-monogamous relationships. This compares to 64% of Millennials, 50% of Gen Xers, and 43% of Baby Boomers, showing a clear trend between monogamy and generation. Also, it is unsurprising that only 44% of Gen Zs are looking for old-fashioned romance compared to 54% of total respondents. Gen Zs are also 2X more likely to be in an open relationship than respondents overall (15% vs. 7%), and 5X more likely than their Gen X parents to be in an open relationship (15% vs. 3%). However, as noted in Gen Z is Finding Love the Old Fashioned Way, next-generation relationships don't necessarily mean virtual ones. 74% of Gen Zs and 77% of respondents prefer IRL relationships to digital courtship. In other words, Gen Zs don't want to digitize their romantic partnerships; they just want to diversify them. What else do Gen Zs want in a romantic partner? Ambition. Gen Zs were more likely than other generations to say they prefer ambition to romance, with 38% of Gen Zs picking a partner who is ambitious to one who is romantic, compared to 36.5% of Millennials, 32% of Gen Xers, and 27% of Baby Boomers who feel the same way. In bed, women call the shots as much as men In another departure from tradition, women report calling the shots in bed as much as their male partners. 50% of women and an equal 50% of men say, when it comes to who takes the lead in bed, 'it's a 50/50 split.' And what do women want from their partners? Experimentation. Women were nearly as likely as men to say they want sexual experimentation over sexual comfort (48% of women want experimentation vs. 50% of men). Gen Z women were more likely than their Gen Z male counterparts to want to experiment: 55% of Gen Z women want sexual experimentation over sexual comfort compared to 52% of Gen Z men. This study is based on a 7,100-person online survey, which included (1) 5,000 18-to-65-year-old respondents in the top 50 metropolitan areas (100 respondents per city); (2) 5,000 18-65-year-old respondents in each of the 50 states (100 respondents per state); and (3) a nationally representative sample of 500 18-to-65-year-old respondents to contextualize results. These three categories are not mutually exclusive; some respondents fall within multiple categories. The study was fielded in January 2025. Findings were analyzed by 190 demographic and psychographic cuts, including city, region, gender (when Hims refer to 'women' and 'men,' it includes all people who self-identify as such), age, race and ethnicity, relationship status, parenting status, sexual orientation (heterosexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, pansexual, asexual, queer, etc.), fandoms (music, sports, etc.), and fitness and diet preferences, among other areas of interest. All data in this study are from this source, unless otherwise noted. Independent research firm, Culture Co-op, conducted and analyzed research and findings. This story was produced by Hims and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Clint Eastwood, 95, had 'long periods of being unfaithful' and saw marriage as 'confinement', tell-all claims
Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood reportedly wasn't a strong believer in monogamy, with a new biography claiming he viewed marriage as 'a form of confinement.' The revelation comes from author Shawn Levy, who explores the actor-director's life in his new book, Clint: The Man and The Movies. Drawing on interviews, reflections, and decades of public and private insight, the biography dives deep into Eastwood's storied film career, romantic entanglements, and complex personal life. Since his rise to stardom in the early 1960s, Eastwood's love life has drawn headlines—starting with a first marriage marred by infidelity, followed by on-set affairs, a high-profile romance with a woman 33 years younger, and reportedly fathering eight children. According to the book, Eastwood's friends were 'aware that he considered marriage to be a form of confinement, and he gave himself free rein when it came to other women.' Representatives for Eastwood have been contacted for comment. Levy himself weighed in on the star's outlook in a recent interview with Fox, noting, 'There's a part of him that respects the institution of marriage. But his personal liberty, I think, eventually has equal weight, if not more weight for him. 'He always tried to treat his partners with respect, but he also always followed his passions and instincts.' 'I think, in retrospect, it's an appetite,' Levy continued. 'It's something that he found pleasure in, something he could do. 'He did it before he was famous. He did it after he became famous. 'There were periods, long periods, of his life, when he was faithful to a partner. And there were periods when he was in between partners or when he was unfaithful to his principal partner.' Levy concluded, 'He was not faithful in the traditional sense. He found monogamy to be confining, just the way he found being a studio contract actor confining.' Even Clint seemed to acknowledge his wandering ways. In a 1963 Photoplay interview, he reflected on his first marriage to Maggie Johnson, 'One thing Mag had to learn about me was that I was going to do as I pleased. She had to accept that, because if she didn't, we wouldn't be married.' The couple separated in 1978 and finalized their divorce in 1984, ending a marriage that began in 1954. Years later, he opened up further to his authorized biographer Richard Schickel in the 1997 book Clint Eastwood: A Biography. He confessed that his affairs 'just became… I don't know… addictive… like you have to have another cigarette.' That 'addictive' pull led to a tangled love life that started long before he became a household name. He met Maggie on a blind date in 1953, shortly after being discharged from the military. The pair married just six months later and remained together for more than two decades, even as Eastwood's rising stardom brought a series of affairs. While still dating Johnson, he fathered a daughter, Laurie, with another woman — a fact he allegedly didn't know at the time. During his marriage, Eastwood began a 14-year affair with stuntwoman Roxanne Tunis, with whom he had another daughter, Kimber, in 1964. He later embarked on a highly publicized 13-year relationship with actress Sondra Locke, his co-star in The Outlaw Josey Wales. That affair was mired in controversy, ending in a bitter lawsuit after Locke accused him of emotional abuse and professional sabotage. She also claimed he pressured her into multiple abortions during their time together. In the midst of that relationship, Eastwood quietly fathered two more children — Scott and Kathryn — with flight attendant Jacelyn Reeves. By the early '90s, he was romantically involved with actress Frances Fisher, with whom he had a daughter, Francesca. That relationship ended after Eastwood was photographed kissing TV reporter Dina Ruiz, whom he would go on to marry in 1996. With Ruiz, Eastwood welcomed his youngest daughter, Morgan, and for years it appeared he had settled down. But their marriage unraveled in the 2010s, with Ruiz citing emotional distance and the revelation of Eastwood's new relationship — with her friend's ex-wife, Erica Tomlinson-Fisher. Eastwood and Ruiz officially divorced in 2014. Shortly afterward, Eastwood met restaurant hostess Christina Sandera at his Carmel hotel, the Mission Ranch. Despite a 33-year age gap, their relationship lasted a decade and marked one of his longest and most stable romances. Tragically, Sandera passed away in July 2024 at the age of 61. In total, Eastwood is believed to have fathered at least eight children with six different women, though he has never publicly confirmed the full count.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I thought settling for a man below my league meant safety. After five years of marriage, I learnt a humiliating lesson
Let me just say this upfront: I'm no fool. I know the rules of the game. When you're a woman who turns heads, you attract a certain kind of man - confident, charming… and often allergic to monogamy.
New York Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
A Planner Finally Gets His Own ‘Big Gay Wedding'
Kyle Gardner Torrence made a dramatic entrance to the dock in Cherry Grove on Fire Island, N.Y., when he first met Jove Appollon Meyer in person in May 2020. Mr. Torrence had missed an 11 a.m. ferry, and the next one wouldn't depart until 5 p.m. Determined to make it to his date with Mr. Meyer, he begged employees at the station to let him charter his own boat, paying hundreds of dollars to do so. 'I felt like Barbra Streisand,' Mr. Torrence said. 'No one was going to rain on my parade.' As the chartered boat approached the island, onlookers whispered about which celebrity might be arriving. 'Everyone there thought it was Liza Minnelli or Alan Cumming,' Mr. Torrence, 35, said. 'And it was me.' Mr. Meyer, 40, was waiting for him, his dogs Sadie and Sausage in his arms, shaking his head as Mr. Torrence exited the boat. 'And I've been shaking it ever since,' Mr. Meyer said, with a laugh. The two had met a few weeks earlier on Tinder. Mr. Torrence had never been in a serious relationship before, and early on during the pandemic, he had an epiphany about his approach to dating. 'I wasn't saying what I really want,' he said. 'And I want a monogamous relationship. I want a family. I was just trying to play it cool.' He decided that he would be upfront about what he was looking for. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Mail & Guardian
18-06-2025
- General
- Mail & Guardian
Reflecting on relationships: Is it ‘just sex'?
People who choose abstinence, monogamy or sexual restraint are made to feel as though something is wrong with them. True sexual freedom should include the right not to participate. First, I must admit that I might be out of my depth here — these are simply personal musings about life as I currently understand it. I welcome responses and critiques, which I would take seriously. Now in my late twenties, conversations about sex and relationships have become more common among my friends. One recurring question we debate is — who has it easier when it comes to dating or finding a partner for sex? To be clear, I recognise that relationships exist in many diverse forms, far beyond the traditional, monogamous, heterosexual model. I don't claim to fully grasp the nuances of every type of relationship. For the sake of focus, however, this reflection concerns relationships between male- and female-presenting individuals. I used to believe that female-presenting individuals had it easier when it came to dating, largely because they typically aren't expected to initiate interactions or make the first move. In many cases, it seems they just need to dress up and show up and there will be no shortage of people vying for their attention. Of course, I now recognise that this perception is heavily shaped by 'pretty privilege', which disproportionately benefits conventionally attractive women. A friend once challenged my view by pointing out that this dynamic — being pursued rather than pursuing — can be disempowering. It places women in the passive position of waiting to be chosen which, upon reflection, doesn't sound empowering at all. Some of my female-presenting friends argue that men, particularly heterosexual men, have it easier. They are seen as the ones who do the choosing and, crucially, enjoy broader social backing for their behaviour. For example, a man who has multiple sexual partners is often celebrated or, at the very least, not judged harshly — whereas a woman who does the same is frequently shamed. This discrepancy reflects deeper patriarchal structures that centre men socially and culturally. These structures often allow men to navigate life with fewer social constraints and less moral scrutiny. While it's arguably true that men benefit from these systems, I don't believe that societal validation necessarily confers moral legitimacy. The fact that society might praise or excuse a man who sleeps with many women doesn't make the act inherently admirable or ethically sound. Building on arguments like the one above — which only begin to scratch the surface — I've come to believe that the more important question is not who gets sex more easily, but rather, what are people's orientations toward sex ? In today's world, either party in a heterosexual dynamic can theoretically have as much sex as they want, although it's true that society often treats one more favourably than the other for doing so. I support people exploring their sexualities freely but I believe two important considerations are often overlooked. The first is self-control. Does experiencing a sexual urge automatically justify acting on it — or even having multiple partners to satisfy it? A common retort is, 'It's just sex.' But, in reality, it isn't just sex. Like in physics, every action has a consequence — though these might be less visible in the moment. Every sexual act, I believe, involves an exchange — not only of physical presence, but of something deeper. For example, bodily fluids like saliva or semen contain DNA, which is foundational to our biological identity. While these exchanges might not have immediate or visible effects, I suspect they register somewhere in our being, perhaps even subtly shaping how we relate to ourselves and others. Moreover, sexual intimacy triggers powerful hormonal responses. Oxytocin, often called the 'bonding hormone', is released during and after orgasm, creating emotional and psychological ties between partners. These biological realities are often minimised in favour of momentary pleasure but they suggest that sex carries more significance — physically, emotionally and spiritually — than we often admit. The second point — and, in fact, my main motivation for writing this piece — is the subtle but growing pressure placed on those who choose not to 'explore' sexually, particularly those who, by personal conviction, do not wish to have multiple sexual partners. A striking irony is emerging in contemporary discourse — while many champion sexual liberty and personal choice, that freedom is often only respected when it aligns with dominant expectations. In other words, you're free to do what you want — as long as what you want is what everyone else considers liberating. Increasingly, people who choose abstinence, monogamy or sexual restraint are made to feel as though they're missing out, failing to live fully, or even that something might be wrong with them. The pressure to 'just have sex' or 'have more partners' can be subtle or overt but it undermines the very principle of autonomy that sexual liberation claims to uphold. This is deeply problematic. True freedom should include the right not to participate, the right to say no without shame and the right to define one's values and boundaries on one's own terms. People should be supported in expressing their sexuality — or their decision not to — regardless of whether it aligns with cultural trends or popular narratives. Authentic self-expression sometimes means going against what is expected. That, too, is a valid form of liberation. Sex, as a deeply pleasurable act with the profound potential to create life, deserves to be acknowledged for what it truly is — something far more significant than just another casual activity or physical exercise. While people are free to explore their sexuality and have multiple partners if they so choose, those who decide otherwise should be equally respected. Choosing restraint, monogamy or abstinence is no less valid than choosing openness or experimentation. Ultimately, sexuality is a deeply personal journey. Different people have different values, goals and paths toward fulfillment — and they should be free to navigate those paths without judgment or pressure. True sexual freedom lies not in doing what is popular or expected but in having the agency to choose what aligns with one's own convictions, however that may look. Emmanuel Anoghena Oboh is a PhD student of philosophy at the Center of Applied Ethics, Stellenbosch University.
