The Discursive Construction of Polyamory: Legitimising an Alternative to Monogamy

Abstract Polyamory is an umbrella term denoting the practice of having multiple romantic and intimate relationships with consent everyone involved. Within a mononormative culture, becoming polyamorous may be associated uncertainty feeling being suspended. Moreover, preferential attitude towards monogamy marginalises polyamory as indecent corrupt, creating feelings shame social isolation. Our research explored discursive construction in Italy by identifying strategies used to deal such identity recognition issues. We conducted 15 semistructured interviews people who defined themselves polyamorous. discourse analysis identified narrative that overturns dominant hegemonic perspective; this presented generating difficulties problems thoroughly satisfying adequate relational modality. This was constructed using six strategies, allowing participants achieve three purposes. By naturalising constructing it stable trait, essentialised polyamory; providing normative definition community, they set up boundaries finally, moralising attributing transformative power it, valorised polyamory. Overall, order allows for integration into one’s life, even if polyamorists remain minority group trapped public liminality brought about culture.