Hola Doctora,

It seems as though the days of open arrangements is nearer than before. The final lines in your post I feel adequately summarizes well the universal sentiments swirling about on this issue.

I can't recall how many have told me they feel traditional, single partner marriages are out moded if not nearly impossible and even unrealistic!

As your final lines says it though: each couple needs to decide this. I might add: the sooner the better in a marital relationship is best for the obvious reasons. I mean this should be made clear long before the conjugal knot is tied!

One has to wonder where the feelings of jealousy and inadequacy and the ancient tradition of providing for ones family will fit after the doors are swung open.

As an older 71 year old, currently 25 years with my second wife I can't imagine running out and looking for another lady or ladies, (by god just the energy, emotional and economical upkeep required...). But yes, I did just that, but I was a much younger man. This becomes then more a younger persons endeavor.

I do believe that couples can very well reach that rarefied place in ones marriage where partners begin to sense that they would never have it any other way. That is, to remain true and completely faithful and together with ones chosen partner.

The joy and sense of being settled in a warm and wonderful monogamous way has its vast rewards. There's really no way to describe this until you've lived it.

Fighting still? Better believe it. That's after all just human. Another topic for your next analysis Doctor might be: 'humans fight, get on with it...'

Thanks for the fun and controversial post.

Tom