Polyamory - Human Sexuality

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These two articles have similarities but many differences as well. While both are on the topic of polyamory, in general the article written by Klesse is written at an academic level than the article written by Bennett. Klesse’s article is for a scholarly publication while Bennett’s was published in Newsweek, a popular magazine. This is obvious when looking at the complexity and types of words used in the articles. Klesse’s uses big complex words that the layperson might not understand. Bennett uses words that on an academic level are easier for the public as a whole to understand. This can be a benefit as well as a disadvantage. While Klesse’s article is written with the academic world in mind, the public would have a hard time understand parts enough so that they may not finish reading it. While at the same time the article written by Bennett is more likely to be read by the public but not by someone who is looking for something with citations and data to back up claims made in the article by the author. This is important to know in case the reader is writing an academic paper and needs to have and use good, credible sources. While the article by Bennett is well written and has some useful information in it, it would not meet all of the necessary qualifications that may be asked by someone writing a scholarly paper. Both articles tried to define and discuss the various definitions of polyamory. Reading either of the articles will help someone come to a better understanding as to what polyamory is and some of the issues surrounding it. This is a good thing for everyone in general as a better understanding of each other and all the different things that are important to different people can help led to less misunderstandings and more acceptance of others and their lifestyles. Perhaps one individual in a relationship wants to discuss opening it up to other partners. By having a better understanding of why humans feel the way they do and want the things they do through an academic study of sex, human nature, and how those relate the individual would be better equipped for discussing their needs and desires with their partner as opposed to someone with no formal academic study. Studying sex formally is important for disseminating truth from fiction, which unfortunately the popular media is not always good about keeping fact and fiction separate. Popular media tends to sensationalize things and in order for a better understanding of sexual issues the best source of information would be from scholarly publications and through academic study.

Klesse and Bennett both do an excellent job with introducing their readers to the world of polyamory even though they use different styles of writing to make their points. Polyamory, while not new, is something that not a lot of people as a whole are aware of and while polyamory may not be for everyone, it seems as though monogamy is not for everyone either. With more people being honest with themselves that their partners about their wants and needs the trend of opening up relationships seems likely to continue.

References

Bennett, J. (2009, July 28). Polyamory: The Next Sexual Revolution? Retrieved November 25, 2013, from http://www.newsweek.com/polyamory-next-sexual-revolution-82053

Klesse, C. (2006). Polyamory and its 'Others': Contesting the Terms of Non-Monogamy. Sexualities, 9(5), p565-583. Retrieved from http://www.brown.uk.com/poly/klesse.pdf

Portwood, J. (2012, September 20). Amanda Palmer Gets Intimate | Out Magazine. Retrieved November 25, 2013, from http://www.out.com/entertainment/music/2012/09/20/amanda-palmer-neil-gaiman-open-relationship