Researchers from Swansea University carried out a survey to explore attitudes toward non-monogamous arrangements among adults in the United Kingdom. The study focused on heterosexual participants and aimed to understand how many people might consider sharing a single partner or having multiple partners in their relationships. The overall tone of the findings suggests a noticeable openness from a portion of the population toward evolving relationship models, though the level of interest varied by gender and by the specific form of non-traditional partnership being considered.
In the survey, 393 heterosexual men and women were asked about their views on open relationships and the possibility of sharing a partner with others or maintaining several partners themselves. The results revealed a clear gender difference in willingness to entertain these arrangements. Approximately one in three men expressed readiness to have more than one partner, while about one in ten women indicated a similar level of openness. This divergence points to differing perspectives on relational boundaries and personal autonomy within partnerships, highlighting the complex psychology behind relationship choices and the varying social cues that influence them.
Beyond the question of multiple partners, the survey also examined attitudes toward granting a partner greater personal freedom within a relationship. The data showed that a minority of respondents leaned toward allowing their partner more independence, with around 5 percent of women and 9 percent of men indicating they would be comfortable with such an arrangement. The majority, however, appeared more inclined toward traditional setups or more tightly coordinated relationship dynamics, underscoring the enduring appeal of established boundaries for many people even as some push for more flexible arrangements.
The researchers also asked participants to consider polygamous marriages, both in scenarios where one man might marry several women and where one woman might marry several men. The response patterns showed a notable gender gap in acceptance of polygamy. Men were more than three times as likely to endorse polygamy in the male-led scenario compared with a more restrictive form of polyandry, while women showed a comparatively smaller difference but still demonstrated a higher likelihood of accepting polygamous structures when the arrangement involved multiple partnerships for men. These trends reflect deep-rooted cultural narratives about marital norms and pair bonding, as well as personal preferences regarding companionship, intimacy, and social cooperation within families.