PolyOz

Polyamory is a hybrid word: poly is Greek for many and amor is Latin for love. It has been independently coined by several people, including Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart whose article "A Bouquet of Lovers" (1990) is widely cited as the source of the word, and Jennifer Wesp who created the Usenet newsgroup alt.polyamory in 1992. However, the term has been reported in occasional use since the 1960s, and even outside polygamous cultures such relationships existed well before the name was coined; for one example dating from the 1920s, see William Moulton Marston.

No single written definition of "polyamory" has universal acceptance. It is generally agreed that polyamory involves multiple consensual, loving relationships (or openness to such), but beyond that the term is as ambiguous as the word love itself. 

Some object to the idea that one must currently be participating in multiple relationships to be considered polyamorous. Others would consider their relational outlook polyamorous, regardless of whether they happen to be single or in an exclusive relationship at the time. A relationship is more likely to be called "polyamorous" if at least one relationship is long-term, involves some sort of commitment (e.g. a formal ceremony), and involves shared living arrangements and/or finances, but none of these criteria are necessary or definitive.

Single for years but ready for a relationship, journalist Dawn Porter travels the world experiencing some of the extreme ways women find love and live with men.

 Not quite ready to settle down with one man, Dawn Porter explores the world of polyamory, or free love, and lives with people who share their partners. Her journey begins in San Diego, California where a husband and wife run a kind of free love school and try to teach Dawn to open up to free love. Dawn experiments with role playing, some more physical group exercise, and finally a quick session in the school hot tub. Next, travelling to the former Soviet Union, Dawn exposes a Mail Order Bride industry that profits off men hoping to find love in a week.

Having dabbled a bit, Dawn travels to Zegg, a 1960’s style commune isolated in former East Germany, where members live a polyamorous utopian lifestyle. Before she leaves, Dawn witnesses the downside of free love and meets some of its victims. In the end, Dawn herself has the chance to experience one of the most extreme and controversial practices of this strange community.

Then, with international headlines blaring about abuse in the Mormon community, Dawn goes inside a Mormon town and lives with polygamous husbands and wives. Finally, Dawn travels to the heart of Geishadom, Kyoto Japan, where she trains as a geisha and learns the fine art of pleasing men.

Will these experiences teach her more about what she wants to do? What are the costs of living these extreme ways? And does it really make these people happy?

Saturdays at 8:30pm 8.30pm from February 19 on BBC Knowledge

Ever wonder what people are thinking of when they hear the word Polyamory? 

We decided to do a little reseach on the internet.........

The following is a list of words that society in general tends to associate with polyamory - these words most commonly appear in internet seaches :-

• polyamory
• marriage
• polygamy

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