Should Having Multiple Spouses Be an Option?

"PenguinFoop;c-18054928" wrote:
If the person that I married decided he/she wanted another spouse as well. I would wish them the best and leave the relationship so they could fulfill that desire.

The difference between this and consensual polygamy (even consensual polyamory) is that in the example above you entered an agreement with one person, who then tried to change that agreement without consulting you. This is like a breach of contract in law terms.

If a person takes a (or several) consenting partner(s)/spouse(s), then takes (an) additional partner(s)/spouse(s) with knowledge by, but without the consent of existing one(s), this is a breach of contract with the existing partner(s)/spouse(s).

If a person takes on an additional partner/spouse without knowledge (and by default, also consent) by the existing partner(s)/spouse(s), this is again a breach of contract with the existing partner(s)/spouse(s).

However...

If a couple find themselves interested in a third party, discuss it together, then discuss with the third party and that third party joins in the relationship, then that is a mutually beneficial agreement between 3 consenting adults.

If 3 single people meet, hook up casually and then decide to stay as a throuple, this is a mutually beneficial agreement between 3 consenting adults.

If a person is involved with 2 others, who know of each other but only have a platonic relationship between them and the two partners don't mind (or actively enjoy) sharing the same partner, then that is a mutually beneficial agreement between 3 consenting adults.


Now on to how to do this in game and make everyone happy:

We would need two separate toggles (checkboxes, not radio buttons) to allow polyamory:

• Consensual polyamory (allow multiple partners with consent from existng partner(s)).
  
• Non-consensual polyamory (allow multiple partners without consent, cheating) - Note: Player initiated always allowed.
  

And a third toggle to allow or disallow poly marriage.

With these options you could:

• Disallow consensual poly relationships. Disallow cheating from non-consensual poly relationships.
  
• Allow consensual poly relationships and allow them to marry. Disallow cheating/bigamy from non-consensual poly relationships.
  
• Allow consensual poly relationships but not allow them to marry. Disallow cheating from non-consensual poly relationships.
  
• Allow consensual poly relationships and allow them to marry. Allow cheating/bigamy from non-consensual poly relationships.
  
• Allow consensual poly relationships but not allow them to marry. Allow cheating from non-consensual poly relationships.
  
• Allow consensual poly relationships and allow them to marry. Disallow cheating/bigamy from non-consensual poly relationships.
  
• Allow consensual poly relationships but not allow them to marry. Allow cheating from non-consensual poly relationships.
  

This way everyone is covered, and it also resolves the accidental cheating when Flirty and in group chats.