When most people think of marriage, they may envision a man and a woman exchanging vows in a church or courthouse, and then living together in a monogamous relationship for the rest of their lives. However, not all marriages follow that same traditional path. In fact, there are many unconventional marriages, which can take many different forms.
An unconventional marriage is essentially any partnership that deviates from what society generally views as the “norm”. This may include being married but living separately, having an open marriage, living together only part of the year, having a common law marriage, or any other arrangement that works for the couple’s situation.
In this blog post, we will explore a few examples of unconventional marriages that have become increasingly popular in recent years.
LIVING SEPARATELY
One of the most common types of unconventional marriages is one where the couple is married but chooses to live separately. This may occur for a variety of reasons, such as needing to maintain two different residences for work or family obligations. Some couples prefer to live separately to ensure that they maintain their independence and autonomy, while still remaining committed to each other.
Lena Dunham, the creator of the hit TV show “Girls”, is an example of someone who practices living separately. She is in a long-term relationship with musician Jack Antonoff, but they each have their own home and spend time together when their schedules allow.
OPEN MARRIAGE
Another type of unconventional marriage is an open marriage. This refers to a marriage where both partners are allowed to pursue relationships with other people, with the consent and knowledge of their spouse.
Open marriages are not for everyone, but for those who practice them, they often report feeling more fulfilled and satisfied in their relationships than they did in monogamous relationships. This is because an open marriage requires a high level of trust, communication, and honesty, which can ultimately strengthen the bond between partners.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith are one of the most well-known couples in Hollywood who practice open marriage. They have been married for over 20 years and have been very open about their non-traditional approach to relationships.
PART-TIME LIVING TOGETHER
Another type of unconventional marriage is one where the couple only lives together part-time. This may occur if one partner has a job that requires them to travel frequently, or if they maintain separate residences in different parts of the country.
In these situations, the couple will often maintain a strong emotional connection through regular communication and visits, even when they are physically apart for extended periods of time. This can be a challenging arrangement, but for those who are committed to making it work, it can ultimately strengthen their relationship and lead to a deeper appreciation and respect for each other.
COMMON LAW MARRIAGE
A common law marriage is a type of marriage that is recognized in some states, even though there is no official marriage license or ceremony. Instead, a common law marriage is established when two people live together and hold themselves out as married for a certain length of time (usually seven years).
This type of marriage can sometimes occur when a couple chooses not to formally marry for personal or financial reasons, but still wants to be recognized as a committed couple in the eyes of the law.
Conclusion
Overall, unconventional marriages are becoming increasingly common as people look for new, creative ways to approach committed relationships. While these types of relationships may not work for everyone, they can be a great option for those who are willing to think outside of the box and be open to new possibilities.
Whether it’s living separately, practicing open marriage, part-time living together, or establishing a common law marriage, there are many different ways to build a successful, long-lasting partnership that suits your unique needs and desires.
FAQ
What are the 3 types of marriage?
On the basis of number of mates, marriage can be classified into three types. The first type is monogamy which is the most commonly practiced type of marriage where one man gets married to one woman. In this type of marriage, both partners are allowed to have only one spouse at a time. It is considered to be a socially acceptable form of marriage in most parts of the world.
The second type of marriage is polygamy, where an individual is allowed to have multiple spouses at the same time. Polygamy can be further classified into two types: polygyny and polyandry. Polygyny is a type of polygamous marriage where a man has more than one wife at the same time. This type of marriage is mostly practiced in Muslim societies. On the other hand, polyandry is a type of polygamy where a woman has more than one husband at the same time. This type of marriage is relatively rare and is mostly found in tribal communities of India, Nepal, and Tibet.
The third type of marriage is endogamy or group marriage, where a group of men and women get married to each other at the same time. This type of marriage is mostly found in tribal communities where close-knit groups of people live together. In this type of marriage, the partners are chosen by the families or group leaders rather than individuals themselves.
Marriage can be classified into three types based on the number of mates. Monogamy is the most common type of marriage, followed by polygamy, which is further divided into polygyny and polyandry. The third type of marriage is endogamy or group marriage. Understanding the different types of marriage helps us to understand the cultural and social practices of different regions and communities.
What do you call a 3 way marriage?
A 3-way marriage is a type of marital arrangement where three adults enter into a consensual and intimate relationship characterized by shared finances, residences, care, or kin work. It is also commonly called a group marriage or conjoint marriage and is classified as a form of polygamy.
In a 3-way marriage, the three adults involved share romantic, affective, and sexual connections with each other, unlike in a traditional marriage where only two adults are involved. These connections may be equal among the three individuals, or two may be romantically involved with each other while the third has an intimate but non-romantic relationship with them.
The concept of a group marriage dates back to ancient times, where it was commonly practiced in various cultures worldwide, including Africa, Asia, and South America. However, it is less prevalent today and is not legally recognized in most parts of the world.
One of the key differences between group marriage and other forms of polygamy, such as polyandry and polygyny, is that in group marriage, all partners have an equal say in decision-making and are treated as equals in the relationship.
Despite the stigma and legal restrictions against group marriages, there are still individuals and communities that practice this form of polygamy. Some people believe that group marriage offers a way to create a supportive and loving family structure while also allowing for a more diverse range of intimate connections.
A 3-way marriage is a form of polygamy where three adults enter into a consensual and intimate relationship characterized by shared finances, residences, care, or kin work. Although it is less prevalent today and not legally recognized in most countries, it is still practiced by some and considered a viable option for creating supportive and loving family structures while also allowing for a diverse range of intimate connections.