Introduction: Parenting, polyamory and consensual non-monogamy. Critical and queer perspectives

Abstract

This special issue explores key issues regarding the parenting practices within polyamorous and consensually non-monogamous intimate relationships. The contributions are concerned with the stigmatization of child-care practices that deviate from the default of couple-based monogamy, exceed biological definitions of kinship and experiment with new forms of spatial organization beyond shared residence. In this introduction, we highlight key themes of previous research, highlight normative pressures and counter-normative contestations around the themes of exclusivity, gendered parenting roles, relational development framed as intimate growth and a pervasive reproductive futurism. Polyamorous parenting practices negotiate a complex social terrain shaped by social and health policies, law, housing development, creating new avenues for parenting roles, and the (re)organization of care work and the division of labour in child-rearing.

Queering singlehood: Examining the intersection of sexuality and relationship status from a queer lens

“…Poly relationships can include polyamorous couples and families, polycules (chosen family networks), polyaffective relationships (non-sexual but emotionally intimate), solo poly (maintaining agency and non-hierarchical relationships), and additional relationship structures that challenge mononormativity (Pallotta-Chiarolli et al, 2020;Sheff, 2013;Vaughan & Burnes, 2022). Thus, open relationships and poly relationships, however, they are structured, can blur the lines between marriage/singlehood, queering family, and queering monogamy (Acosta, 2018;Allen & Mendez, 2018;Klesse, 2018;Klesse et al, 2022;Schippers, 2016Schippers, , 2019.…”

“…Same‐sex marriage is queer (the noun) and does challenge heteronormativity. However, when there is focus entirely on maintaining homonormativity and mononormativity, we continue to marginalize relationships that are queer (the adjective or verb; Klesse et al, 2022; Rhoten et al, 2021; Schippers, 2016; Sheff, 2020).…”

Bounded Nonnormativity of Heterosexuality: Gendered Sex Partying in Hong Kong

“…In addition to heteroflexibilities—where individuals incorporate same-sex attractions and behaviors into their understanding of heterosexuality (Carrillo and Hoffman 2016)—heterosexuals also engage in other nonnormative forms of sex and intimacy, such as nonmonogamy (e.g., Klesse et al 2022) and Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sadism and Masochism (BDSM) (e.g., Lindemann 2012). Feminist scholars underscore the role of compulsory monogamy in reinforcing heteronormativity (Jackson and Scott 2004).…”

What do we know about consensual non-monogamy?

“…The arena of families and parenting is a specific context where discrimination is keenly felt. Much like gay parents, CNM parents have found themselves the victims of discrimination [41] and suffer from a lack of legal protection and recognition in many contexts [42]. Highlighting the intersection between race and CNM, some research with Aboriginal families in Australia argues that racism exacerbates the likelihood of state intervention [43].…”