Relationship Anarchy
This information is from the Attachment Project.
What is it?
Relationship anarchy has no definable rules. Relationships within this structure are fluid, and therefore have no solid differentiation between sexual, romantic, or platonic relationships. Instead, this structure is about breaking down societal relationship rules.
In relationship anarchy, there is no standard definition or expectation of what a romantic relationship should look like – meaning there is no reason to use sex to differentiate or prioritize a romantic relationship from a platonic one.
Relationship anarchy vs. polyamory
Relationship anarchy is considered to be a type of polyamory – or at least a radical version of egalitarian polyamory. That is, both forms of relationships involve intimate or romantic connections with more than one person at a time. However, the main differences between polyamory and relationship anarchy are twofold. First, while polyamory is an umbrella term for certain forms of ENM relationships, relationship anarchy has its own clear-cut structure. Second, and perhaps most importantly , relationship anarchy rejects the idea of a “romantic sex-based relationship hierarchy”
The Relationship Anarchy Manifesto
- Love is abundant and every relationship is unique.
- Love and respect instead of entitlement
- Build for the lovely unexpected
- Fake it ‘til you make it
- Change through communication
- Find your core set of relationship values
- Don’t let fear lead you
- Trust is better
- Customize your commitments
How does it work?
- Customize – What does an ideal relationship look like to you?
- Communicate – expectations, boundaries, desires
- Create space – exploration and openness for all involved
Types of Relationships Styles
- Emotional intimacy
- Physical intimacy
- Sexual intimacy
- Companionship
- Long-term partnership
- Caregiving
- Co-caregiving
- Entanglement
- Collaborative partnership
- Kink
- Voluntary asymmetry (teacher-student/mentor-guide)
- Social partnership
