Glossary
Serial monogamy
Faithful to one partner at a time, but in a series of relationships one after another.
What is serial monogamy?
Serial monogamy is being faithful to one partner at a time, while over the course of your life you go through a run of such exclusive relationships one after another. Inside each relationship you are fully monogamous. The difference from lifelong monogamy sits in the number of relationships, not in the faithfulness within any one of them.
| In Dutch | serieel monogaam |
| Also known as | consecutive monogamy |
| What it is | a run of exclusive relationships, one at a time |
| Difference from lifelong monogamy | several relationships in sequence, not one for life |
| Opposite | ethical non-monogamy, several at once |
| Falls under | monogamy |
What serial monogamy looks like
It is probably the most common relationship pattern these days. The encyclopedic description puts it as a string of consecutive monogamous relationships, and in Western societies that is entirely ordinary, partly through divorce and starting something new. E-Counseling adds that the marker really lives in the speed of the switch: straight from one exclusive relationship into the next, with little or no time alone in between.
Why it has its own name
The term makes visible something that usually goes unnoticed. Because each relationship looks from the outside like an ordinary committed one, the pattern of starting over again and again is rarely recognized, according to E-Counseling. For you it can help to know this: being serially monogamous is not the same as being unable to commit, and it is not the same as cheating. It is faithfulness, but in chapters. What it is not: a form of non-monogamy, because there is never more than one partner at a time.
Where this fits on this site
I’m Victor, a gigolo, and how you arrange your relationships is not mine to decide. If you notice that between relationships you want company without starting something new right away, a meeting with no strings can have a place in that. Curious how that works? Take a look at my services. Talking always comes first, and it commits you to nothing.
Sources
- Monogamy. Wikipedia. Gives that serial monogamy is a string of consecutive monogamous relationships, and that this pattern is common in Western societies, partly through divorce and remarriage.
Related terms
- Monogamy. The broader form; serial monogamy is monogamy in chapters.
- Ethical non-monogamy. The opposite, with several partners at once and everyone’s consent.
- Relationship anarchy. A very different view, one that lets go of fixed relationship forms altogether.
- Attachment style. Can help explain why someone is rarely alone for long between relationships.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this term
What is serial monogamy?
Serial monogamy means you stay faithful to one partner at a time, but over the course of your life you run through a series of such exclusive relationships one after another. Inside each relationship you are fully monogamous. The difference from lifelong monogamy sits in the number of relationships, not in the faithfulness within any one of them.
Is serial monogamy a form of non-monogamy?
No. With serial monogamy there is never more than one partner at a time, so it is not non-monogamy. It is also not the same as cheating or being unable to commit: it is faithfulness, but in chapters. The opposite is ethical non-monogamy, where someone has several partners at once, with everyone’s consent.
Who can you turn to with questions about serial monogamy?
For questions about your relationship pattern, a couples therapist or psychologist can help. As for me, I’m Victor, a gigolo, and how you arrange your relationships is not mine to decide, but between relationships a meeting with no strings can feel good. Curious how that works? That can be with no obligation or through free chat.
Learn more
Still have questions about serial monogamy?
I'm Victor, a gigolo, and how you arrange your relationships is not mine to decide. But between two relationships, company with no strings can feel good. Curious how that works? Write me whenever, and I'll pick it up slowly.