Domination & submission _ the BDSM relationship handbook ( PDFDrive )

Francisco area from 1971 until 1991. The Kerista Commune pioneered many of
the concepts and practices that are now considered doctrinal in the polyamory
lifestyle. One of the terms coined there was polyfidelity, which we defined
earlier in this chapter.
Another concept developed there was the notion of compersion. A simple way
to define compersion would be to describe it as the opposite of jealousy.
Compersion is a positive emotional reaction to your partner’s involvement from
another romantic or sexual relationship. The Kerista Commune pioneered the
practice of modern group marriages; however some of their practices were
controversial, even among their members, such as assigning sleeping partners to
commune members on a rotating schedule, and discriminating against
homosexuals. After twenty years of operation, the Kerista Commune shuttered
its doors due to internal strife and legal troubles.
Today, there is still a growing polyamory movement in the United States, and it
is nowhere more robust than in the D/s lifestyle. The reasons for this are
relatively straightforward. First, the sort of person who is attracted to a lifestyle
that is outside of the mainstream has a higher probability of having attitudes and
beliefs about loving relationships that are outside of the mainstream, as well.
Second, the D/s lifestyle is structured to allow polyamorous relationships to
occur more easily, and with greater frequency. Specifically, Dominants are far
more likely to be allowed to have multiple partners, and submissives are far less
likely to forbid it, than their vanilla counterparts in general society. Third and
finally, the BDSM culture encourages experimentation, group activities, and
casual fetish play (which may or may not be sexual in nature) that create
opportunities for polyamorous relationships to develop.
There are, of course, many potential advantages and disadvantages that come
with any polyamorous relationship. They can be more or less applicable to any
particular relationship, depending upon the nature of the relationship, the
number of people involved, whether or not children are a part of the relationship,
living arrangements, financial arrangements, sexual relations, and other factors.