Why More Couples Are Exploring Ethical Non-Monogamy in 2025

A few decades ago, the idea of open relationships, polyamory, or swinging was reserved for hushed conversations, underground communities, or scandalous headlines. Now? It’s all over social media, relationship podcasts, and even Hollywood. Ethical non-monogamy is becoming more mainstream.

Couples from all walks of life, whether married, dating, straight, queer are all openly questioning whether monogamy is the only straightforward path to love and fulfillment.

But why now? Why are more people than ever exploring Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM) in 2025? And is it just a trend, or are we witnessing a permanent shift in how relationships work?

1. The Rise of Relationship Transparency

In the age of hyper communication and therapy culture, couples are talking about their wants and needs in ways they never have before. Gone are the days when people quietly suffered through dissatisfaction, mismatched libidos, or unfulfilled fantasies just because “that’s what marriage is.”

✅ People are having difficult, more honest conversations about what they truly want.

✅ There’s less stigma around seeking fulfillment outside of one partner.

✅ Apps like Feeld, SDC, and #Open are making it easier than ever to find other like-minded people.

This simply isn’t about cheating or a lack of love. It’s about expanding what’s possible in a relationship when both partners are open to it.

2. The Influence of Social Media & Celebrities

Like it or not, we’re influenced by what we see online. Social media has normalized discussions around open relationships in a way traditional media never tried.

Think about it, just in the past few years, we’ve seen:

🔸 Will & Jada Smith’s “entanglement” discussion spark massive public debate

🔸 TikTok creators openly discussing polyamory & ENM to millions of followers

🔸 Bella Thorne, Willow Smith, and Nico Tortorella publicly embracing non-monogamy

🔸 Reality shows like “The Ultimatum: Queer Love” explore open relationships on mainstream TV

And the results? More people are curious, questioning, and experimenting than ever before.

3. Younger Generations Are Rethinking Monogamy

📊 According to a recent study, nearly 1 in 4 Gen Z adults say they don’t plan to live their life in strict monogamy.

Younger generations are:

✔ More comfortable questioning traditional relationship structures

✔ More likely to believe in fluidity, whether in gender, sexuality, or relationships

✔ Prioritizing emotional and sexual freedom over outdated norms

In other words, Gen Z and Millennials don’t see love and commitment as “one size fits all.”

Although not exact science, some reports show generational increases in participation in swinging.

4. The Impact of the Pandemic: Relationships Reimagined

COVID changed everything, including relationships. During lockdowns, couples spent more time together than ever before, leading to:

🔹 More deep conversations about what they really wanted

🔹 More people reassessing their long term happiness

🔹 An increase in divorce rates but also a rise in ethical non-monogamy

For some, this meant opening up their marriage instead of ending it. For others, it meant realizing that monogamy wasn’t the only way to find lasting love.

5. The Difference Between “Ethical” & “Unethical” Non-Monogamy

Here’s what people still get wrong:

❌ ENM isn’t cheating.

❌ It’s not about commitment issues.

❌ It’s not just “an excuse to sleep around.”

The keyword? Ethical.

✅ ENM is based on clear communication, honesty, and boundaries.

✅ It can take many forms: open relationships, polyamory, swinging.

✅ It works when both partners are fully on board, not when one forces the other into it.

For couples who crave variety, deep connections, or new experiences, ENM provides an alternative that isn’t about replacing love but expanding it.

So… Is This Just a Trend or the Future of Love?

💡 Short answer: It’s both.

Right now, ENM is trending because it’s newly mainstream, exciting, and controversial. But for many, it’s also a permanent lifestyle choice that provides more freedom and connection than traditional monogamy ever has.

And while it may not be for everyone, the conversation isn’t going away anytime soon.

What Do You Think?

❓ Have you ever thought about exploring non-monogamy?

💬 Drop a comment below. We’d love to hear your thoughts, whether you’re curious, experienced, or skeptical.

📌 Want to connect with like-minded couples & singles? Sign up for SDC here and start exploring.

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