According to a study by the University of Antwerp and the Duffel Psychiatric Centre, almost 1 in 3 Belgians has had an open relationship at some point in their life. Meanwhile, although monogamy is still the norm here, around half of Belgians have experience of “playing the field” while in a relationship with a partner.
Almost 2,700 people took part in the study. Two-thirds of them consider themselves to be monogamous. However, this figure is at odds with the answers that many of the respondents gave to the questions regarding their own specific experiences.
Of those surveyed 29% said that they had at one time been in an open relationship. The was a relationship in which their partner consented to them engaging in sexual activity or intimacy outside their relationship. 32% of those surveyed said that they had at one time had an illicit relationship, affair or fling. At total of around half of those surveyed reported having had experience of some form of non-monogamous activity.
Age differences
The study reveals that young adults (18 to 25) in particular had recent experience with open relationships or polyamory. 20% said they had had a non-monogamous experience with their partner's consent in the past year. This compares with 5% of those aged 60 and above. Middle aged people (40 to 60) were more likely to say that they have been non-monogamous at some point, but that when they had been they had done so secretly.
Professor Manuel Morrens of UAntwerp/UPC Duffel told journalists that “The results show that non-monogamous practices are relatively common, more so than is generally assumed”.
"This may reflect increasing diversity in relationship structures and the fact that Belgians are more open to exploring alternative forms of relationships. Monogamy as the norm can be questioned, because non-monogamous activities appear to be very mainstream."
The researchers say that the figures are more or less the same for men and women. However, the reported frequency of non-monogamous activities is higher among men. Non-heterosexual respondents were found to be involved in non-monogamous relationships twice as often on average.