For myself, personally, I am pretty strongly monogamous, but throughout my adult life I have intellectually seen the many advantages to "group" marriages of one kind or another. Four adults, joined in some kind of legal agreement provide incredible economic andvantages and stability for each other. Hell I don't care if 20 people want to share this kind of bond, but four is the group I have given most thought to.
Tkis kind of family provides the opportunity for more choices for the individuals involved. Want to go to school? "Sure we can afford that. The other three of us will support you whille to go so you can concentrate on going to school. And Hey... you can have dinner ready for us when we get home from work, and Oh yah maybe now we can have that garden we've been wanting and YOU can do the weeding." Want to have a baby or change careers or just take a few months off work because you're stressed out? All those things could be negotiated because of the multiple income factor in the family. Expenses would be greatly reduced as well. The home would have to be somewhat larger to assure private space for everyone, but comparing this unit to couples or individuals living separately, the amount of "stuff" they need to buy would be reduced. Less lawnmowers, less yard tools of all kinds, less refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishes, silverware, towels...and picture the potential for clothing swaps!
There would be lots more emotional support as well, less likelihood for loneliness, more potential to find an understanding person when you need to talk. If one partner dies or divorces, there are three remaining partnera to share the emotional and financial devastation.
It is not something that we are trained for in our society, but really, it makes a lot of sense.
Oh I meant to say, while in college, I read two books by Robert Rimmer that helped inform my beliefs. They are "The Harrad Experiment" and "Proposition 31"
Smooches,
Keri
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