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There was a time, not so long ago, when it was common to meet your future partner in high school and then spend the rest of your lives together. But now it appears that such long-term relationships have become rare and divorces continue to rise while the number of marriages falls. Marriage is gradually losing its monopoly position as the only form of relationship and is increasingly being replaced by another form of relationship, such as registered partnerships and relationships without legal recognition.
The evolution of romantic relationships is a fascinating phenomenon that is constantly changing and adapting to current times. Centuries ago, marriage was a practical agreement between families, in which love did not always play a role. Nowadays, love is the most important characteristic of a relationship. Moreover, there is now more freedom in choosing a relationship, where you are free to find your own way in love and intimacy. That is why we tell you about the different types of relationships that currently exist in our society.
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18 different relationship types
You are unique and so is your view on relationships. While some hop from one short fling to another, you may be looking for a partner for life. And that’s completely okay. Love, sex and trust are different in every relationship and it is up to you to discover what works for you. But remember that your preference for a committed relationship doesn’t mean it has to be this way forever or that everyone feels the same way.
Relationships grow and change as the years pass. And you too change as you get older and life around you changes. It’s normal for these changes to affect how you view a relationship. It’s easy to think that there is only one way to be in a relationship. But that is not true. Every relationship is unique, just like you.
There’s no right or wrong when it comes to relationships – it’s all about what works, for you. There are different types of relationships that work better for different people depending on their needs and wants. The most important thing is that you have a relationship that works for you and that makes you happy. What choices do you have? We have listed X different types of relationships.
1. Monogamous relationship
As a Dutch person, you have probably learned that a monogamous relationship is the norm. That means you only have one person you’re in a relationship with and sex with others is off the cards. This relationship revolves around a strong bond between two people who plan to spend the rest of their lives together. It is often a special combination of love and intimacy.
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2. Casual dating
Casual dating is a term you’ve probably heard. But what does it mean? It’s actually very simple: casual dating means that you are dating without obligation and are not yet exclusive with one person. It’s a way to meet someone and see if there is a connection.
The great thing about casual dating is that you don’t have to immediately decide whether you like someone enough to have a serious relationship with. You have the freedom to drop out if it turns out not to be for you. Of course, this does not mean that you have to sleep with everyone, it is about having the freedom to discover what you are looking for in a relationship and what you find important in a partner.
3. Platonic relationship
A platonic relationship is a special connection that you share with someone without romantic or sexual feelings. It is similar to friendship, but even more intense and profound. The connection is not based on physical attraction, but on a deeper level of understanding and mutual respect. Within a platonic relationship, there are no expectations or pressure to meet certain standards. You accept each other exactly as you are and support each other through thick and thin.
The term ‘platonic relationship’ was coined by the Greek philosopher Plato.
4. Lat relation
The name the lat relationship comes from the abbreviation Living Apart Together , which roughly describes the nature of this relationship. It’s like having the benefits of a relationship without the drawbacks. At least, that is how it is often experienced. In a lat relationship you are not obliged to live together. You have the freedom to maintain your own space and privacy. It gives you the opportunity to maintain your own independence while having an emotional connection with your partner.
In a lat relationship you can still be together whenever you want, and the moments you are together are likely to be even more special because they are less frequent. It gives you a chance to really spend quality time and appreciate each other without taking each other for granted. With this form of relationship you can shape the relationship in your own way and adapt it to your needs and wishes.
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5. Exclusive relationship
An exclusive relationship is like having your own personal world with one special someone. It is an intimate commitment where you completely open yourself up and only care about one person. In an exclusive relationship, you and your partner are completely committed to each other and share all the ups and downs of life together. You form a team, supporting each other and always putting each other first.
There is no competition from other potential partners because you have chosen to pursue each other alone. This means that you can both count on each other and that you want to build a deep connection. Of course, the exclusive relationship does take some work and dedication.
6. Sexual relationship
A sexual relationship is a form of relationship in which you and your partner are only physically intimate with each other, without any romantic feelings. This means that you meet for an exciting evening (or night) full of passion and lust, without any obligations to text each other or go on a date. A sexual relationship can be exciting and exciting, but it is not for everyone. This form of relationship requires a certain degree of emotional distance and the ability to respect boundaries.
In this form of relationship it is important to make clear agreements. For example, you can agree to only have sex with each other and not with others. In addition, it is good to discuss whether you also see each other outside the bedroom and how often you want to meet each other.
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7. Marriage
For many, marriage is the beautiful coming together of two unique individuals who decide to walk a life path together. It is not only a legal agreement, but also an emotional and spiritual bond between two people. In a marriage you are not only each other’s partner, but also each other’s friend, confidante and soulmate. You share not only your lives, but also your dreams, goals and future plans.
When you and your loved one choose to get married, it means that you are both willing to support and respect each other unconditionally. It is a commitment to go through life together, to support each other in difficult times and to enjoy the beautiful moments in life together.
8. Marriage of convenience
Marriage of convenience is a special form of marriage in which love does not necessarily come first. Instead, marriage is concluded mainly for intellectual reasons. You could say that a marriage of convenience is mainly about finding the right partner based on shared goals and values, not so much on how you feel about someone or how attractive you find that person. A marriage of convenience is usually concluded for social, financial or political reasons.
A marriage of convenience is therefore different in many respects from a ‘normal’ marriage. It can have both advantages and disadvantages, but it is very different from what we are used to in the Netherlands.
9. Registered partnership
If you are looking for an official and recognized way to confirm your relationship with your loved one, a registered partnership may be right for you. A registered partnership is a formal commitment between two people who decide to live together and legally establish their rights and obligations.
Unlike marriage, a registered partnership is a more modern and flexible option. For example, you have more freedom to make your own agreements about things such as alimony, asset division and inheritance law. You can also choose to use each other’s last name.
10. Friends with benefits relationship
Friends with benefits is a relationship in which you have no romantic feelings for the person, but you still interact sexually. It’s a bit like a romantic relationship, but without the obligations and commitment. It’s about having fun together without emotions being involved. In that sense, it is a relationship that is only about sexual satisfaction and pleasure. You have no obligations to be together or to get to know each other on a deeper level.
A FWB relationship can be a good option if you’re not ready for a romantic relationship or if you just want to enjoy sexual intimacy without the obligations of a traditional relationship. The idea is that you only have the benefits of a relationship – like sex, intimacy and companionship – without the burdens of obligations and expectations. Please keep in mind that this type of relationship is not suitable for everyone.
11. Extramarital relationship
An extramarital relationship is a form of love that arises outside the marriage or relationship you are in. This relationship takes place outside the ‘real’, after which it is named. It is a secretive relationship that you enter into with someone other than your partner. This relationship can cause excitement and passion as well as guilt and sadness.
Because the extramarital relationship happens outside the marriage or relationship, this relationship can entail many risks. Besides the fact that it goes against the agreements you made with your partner, it can also cause emotional pain and confusion for everyone involved. In a not unthinkable scenario, it could even lead to the end of your current relationship.
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12. Long distance relationship
If you fall in love with someone who does not live near you or perhaps even in another country or part of the world, you can enter into a relationship with that person. This long distance relationship is the long distance relationship. It is one of the most difficult relationships to maintain because you cannot touch or feel each other for long periods of time, while the only contact is via phone, app and email.
In a long distance relationship you have to be creative to bridge the physical distance. It means you can’t be together every day, and for long periods of time you have to make do with phone calls, video calls and messages to keep each other informed about what’s going on in your lives.
13. Open relationship
An open relationship is a form of relationship in which you and your partner have the freedom to have romantic and/or sexual experiences with others outside your own relationship. . You give each other space to explore and discover relationships with others, without limiting each other.
An open relationship is like a big adventure in which you take a journey together, but also have the opportunity to deviate from the path alone every now and then and explore new paths. As you understand, this form of relationship requires a lot of communication and transparency between the two of you. It is important to be open about your desires, boundaries and experiences with others.
14. Ethical non-monogamy
Ethical non-monogamy is a type of relationship where you consciously choose to have multiple partners, all with the full approval of everyone. It’s a way to explore love and everything that comes with it in an authentic and honest way. Ethical non-monogamy is an umbrella term that includes open relationships and polyamorous relationships.
Ethical non-monogamy is a way to explore what works for you in relationships and to connect in a way that feels good to you. If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional monogamous relationship, ethical non-monogamy could be the right choice for you.
15. Polyamorous relationship
Polyamory is a way of life where you can share love with several people at the same time, without this being at the expense of your love for someone else. In a polyamorous relationship, you are allowed to share your love with multiple people, so you are not limited to just one romantic partner. You have the freedom to enter into different relationships that are all equally important to you.
Polyamory is the Greek translation of ‘many loves’.
In a polyamorous relationship, it is important to be open and honest about your feelings and needs. This form of relationship is not easy and that is why communication – on a deeper level – is even more important in a polyamorous relationship than in a monogamous relationship. In this form of relationship, the point is that you can decide how you express love and with whom you share it, without feeling guilty or being limited.
16. Polygamous relationship
In the polygamous relationship form, multiple people can be involved and romantically and/or sexually connected to each other. Polygamous relationships can take many forms. For example, it can be a group of three who are all connected, or a larger group in which everyone is connected. It may also be that there is a ‘main partner’, with whom the other partners are less romantically or sexually connected.
Polygamous marriage is prohibited in the Netherlands .
Polygamous relationships are often confused with polyamory, but there are some important differences. A polyamorous relationship mainly concerns the romantic relationship between several people, while polygamy is often associated with religious relationships in which one man has multiple wives.
17. Triangular relationship
A love triangle is when you are in love with someone, but in addition to feelings for you, that person also has feelings for someone else. You then find yourself in a complex situation where your feelings are not (fully) answered. In this situation it can feel like you are trapped in an emotional maze. You are attracted to someone who not only feels the same about you, but also about someone else. The love triangle therefore involves three people and there is often competition for one person.
18. Situationship
A situationship is a relatively new form of relationship that describes a situation in which you have a kind of relationship with someone, but not really. In a situationship you don’t have a clear title or label for your relationship. You may agree to date without exclusivity, or perhaps there is exclusivity, but there are no concrete plans for the future. You may also be best friends, but occasionally flirt and share intimacy.
The difficult thing about a situationship is that you never know where you stand. You may seek each other’s company when it suits you, but you may also not speak to each other for days or even weeks. There is no clarity about how involved you should be or the expectations you have of each other.
There are different types of relationships that overlap in various ways, making them sometimes difficult to distinguish. What differentiates one relationship from another are the rules and boundaries they are bound by. An extensive list of relationship types provides a glimpse into the countless possibilities. Now that you are familiar with these different relationships, which form appeals to you most? Which rules and boundaries suit you and your ideal relationship?
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