(Photo Credits: VladOrlov from Shutterstock)
A TikTok user, Clarkson Lawson, has ignited a debate online with his recent video critiquing open relationships.
Based in Florida, Lawson, 26, specifically took issue with individuals in open relationships who claimed their relationship is more “superior” or a more “evolved” status compared to those adhering to heteronormative traditions. His video has prompted a debate on this perspective within the LGBTQ+ community.
His video was captioned, “Sorry but THIS HAD TO BE SAID… Your “open” relationship is not indicative of maturity or an evolved state of being.
“There’s actually a strong argument that it indicates the opposite of that.”
He reasoned that sex is a “primal urge” and that “what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom and Neanderthals is being able to not act on primary urges when it is in our best interests.
“So no, having an open relationship is not the next step in evolution. It’s actually regressing.”
Further, he said, “Don’t sit here and act like you reinvented the wheel because you let someone else sleep with your boyfriend.”
As for the other reason commonly given by those in an open relationship which is that “sex is not the defining factor of their relationship.” Lawson said, “This is very easily debunked. Your relationship is defined by sex because you cannot give it up with other people in order to be in a relationship.”
In the end, Lawson admitted that whether someone is on a monogamous or open relationship is “none of my business.” He added, “If it works for you, it works for you. Just don’t sit here and put yourself on some moral pedestal. Like you’re the second coming of Einstein because you and your boyfriend are able to let someone else into your relationship.”
Do you agree with him?
Of course, netizens also gave their two cents in the matter.
“Knew of a couple that ‘opened’ on husband’s request… the wife and girlfriend ended up together and kicked him out of the home. man was going thru it,” someone revealed while another commented, “Open relationship = You are an option.”
On the other hand, another person shared, “I call open relationships ‘soft launching your breakup.’ It never lasts & the people who fight me hardest on it break up first.”
Meanwhile, someone said, “I for one and not offended. everyone is entitled to their own opinion. what works for me and my partner doesn’t work for others and that’s okay.”
Having said all that, what about you, guys? Do you agree with Lawson? Or you think being in an open relationship is better? Is monogamy outdated already? What are your thoughts and stories on this matter? Share it with us in the comments section below!
Everyone has the right to define their relationships however they wish. If their definition doesn’t work for you, you’re job is to stick with what you want and respect what others want. You’d piss your undies if anyone dissed your desires, so shut up and get on with your life. Some guys want lives of Hook Ups only; they wish to have NSA meetings with whoever they wish without any connection or commitment. Other guys seek 100% monogamy (mentally, spiritually, and sexually). Their lives; their choices. In between both of those extremes, there are many spots along the way. Guys… Read more »
TOUCHE! TOUCHE! TOUCHE!
Thank you, Sir! I does my humble best-est for the A4A community
You saluted me, favorably, on the last Blog. You understand my comments for what
they are.
“There’s actually a strong argument that it indicates the opposite of that.”
Now there’s a red flag that you need to walk away from this particular TikTok Social Nonsenser. “A”? Only one?
Next Nonsenser please.
ACKNOWLEDGED, AGREED & SUPPORTED!
Monogamy pertains to those who have children and want to guarantee inherent rights. If a straight couple do not procreate, multiply or replenish, they do not have to be “Monogamous – unless – they choose. Monogamy ensures compliance and legality not morality – Gays, particularly, males, do not have to be “Monogamous – as there will be no offspring(s). Monogamy is essentially for breeders not those who don’t. Hence, Gays are under no moral or ethical obligations to practice “Monogamy” – unless – they choose – so “Monogamy” isn’t part of the requirements for a happy and stable gay relationship.… Read more »
LOL. He’s 26. He’s still in puberty yet knows it all. I’ve been with the same person for 23 years. Our relationship is open to sex only. Take a seat.
Be patient –
and
wait-in-line!
Actually men stop going through puberty at 25. Women is 21. This this something you can look up. Your point is moot and stupid.
I can also guarantee you that EVERY SINGLE GUY this guy has ever dated has had sex with someone else during their relationship. I’d bet my life on it.
He is just part of-the-food-chain!
then you lost buddy, because I was committed to my 11yrs. then again my 3 yrs. YIKES
The guy in the middle in the article’s picture so reminds me of Cameron Diaz in “There’s Something About Mary” but very perturbed, like the two guys didn’t meet her needs. The hairdo is “spot” on, however.
“Fabulous” would be the “Spot On” description!
I suspect he brushes it 100 times just to get it straight, curved, raised and swirled!
I think people should do what works best for them. Me personally don’t think can do the open relationship thing, but that’s a ‘me’ thing. I’m not going to tell other people how to do their relationships.
Open relationships is another way of saying you’re in a friends with benefits relationship, and no that is not the same as a fully committed one on one relationship. A fully committed relationship is a lot deeper as has lot more meaning to it than FWB relationships do. When a person is in a fully committed relationship and say I love you, believe them because is no one else but you and is fully committed and invested in making you happy no matter your mood swings, lost of job, or any of life’s imperfections. In a FWB setup its about… Read more »
Why are monogamous relationships “deeper” simply because you’re having sex with one person as opposed to multiple people, and how did you reach this conclusion?
What!? I love my husband and FWBs. We all treat each other with respect and dignity and have a great time. I’m very fortunate.
For Common Cents seeker …
Of my FWBs, there are two very long time couples. They have shared sex with friends for years.
Only closeminded, entitled, opinionated people condemn others’ choices to define their relationships however they wish them to work. Want monogamy? Go for it; no one can tell you not to. If other options don’t work for you, Common Sense says you should shut up and respect others’ choices/options.
I just wonder whether or not the partner is aware that it’s supposed to be an “open relationship”. I find that more often than not, the partner is not so aware. And that the one who’s claiming an open relationship is really merely using the term to convince whoever they’re trying to have sex with that it’s “okay”. In my experience, things get real awkward real fast if and when the issue is pressed for more detail. Most often, they won’t talk about their partner, except maybe to refer to them as their “ulcer half”. At most, you’ll find yourself… Read more »
Both of his points are easily refuted. 1) What’s wrong with acting on your “primal urges’? And why are non-monogamous relationships more regressive because the people in them act on those primal urges with more than one person? Monogamous people STILL act on those primal urges – just with one person as opposed to multiple people. So the suggestion that “acting on primal urges” is bad isn’t an attack on non-monogamous relationships any more than it is on monogamous ones. He also said that human beings can not operate on their primal urges “when it’s in their best interest”. How… Read more »
For me my one and only 3 sum ended in ruin and happy ness My LTR guy was a porn junkie He loved watching guys suck cock YES I did daily or more @ 2 years in he asked if I would suck a BBC while he watched I said no the pressure went on for weeks till I caved under You know being sub and bttm you give your guy what he wants. @ days later he called me saying he had a great guy coming over tonight SAID wear those silk PJs It was to be a once… Read more »
Personally I prefer a Monogamy in my relationships. That being said, I have several friends that are in open relationships and it works well for them and they are truly committed to each other. I find it sad that people have to think they need to define other peoples relationships. That being said if you are in a relationship, it is important to be open and honest with your partner about your expectations and stick with those expectations. If you can’t meet the expectation move on and find someone that can. There are too many consequences to made decisions that… Read more »
An “open” relationship, in my view, is not worth much. The cheater has little to give either partner, just his body, or just affection and little more.
What can a person in a monogamous relationship give their partner that someone in a non-monogamous one can’t?
I would never want to be in a relationship with someone who is so narcissistic, they expect me to only have sex with them. Plus my hobby is plowing beautiful men all over the planet. I have had great sex with more or less 8,000 very hot men (I probably turned down 20,000 men I was not interested in) men even offered me money (thousands of dollars) to have sex with them, But I’m already rich (I’ve made as much as $800,000.00 in a single day, I made $218,612.48 just last Friday) I have never wasted a second of my… Read more »
I will only engage in monogamous relationships. The only conversation we will have about open/poly relationships are that we will not have one.
I don’t see any good in either of those types of relationships.
If you need more than one person, stay single and enjoy your life.