What Is 'Relationship Anarchy?'

""The rules are there ain't no rules." That's what the Scorpions leader told Danny Zucko right before their big drag race against each other in the 1978 movie Grease. That statement could apply as well to what's known as relationship anarchy. Relationship anarchy is a dating or mating approach that rejects traditional relationship rules, hierarchies, norms, and expectations. The emphasis instead is on flexibility, autonomy, and doing whatever you and your partner or partners feel like doing."

"In the relationship case, no one else can tell you what to do when it comes to romantic stuff. For example, you may typically be expected to prioritize your significant other over others. But with relationship anarchy, you may choose to prioritize anyone, whether it's your friends, your cat's vet, or that Starbucks barista over your significant other, spouse, or whatever you happen to call that person whom you have sex with regularly. And that priority ranking could change week-by-week, day-by-day, or even hour-by-hour."

Relationship anarchy rejects conventional relationship rules, hierarchies, norms, and expectations in favor of self-determined arrangements. Individuals or partners define roles, priorities, and boundaries based on current needs rather than preset social standards. Prioritization can shift fluidly — friends, pets, work, or casual partners may take precedence over a significant other at any time. Commitment expectations can be minimal or flexible, and sexual exclusivity is often optional depending on individuals' choices. The approach emphasizes autonomy, consent, and adaptability but can also create uncertainty, conflicting expectations, and potential disagreements if boundaries and communication are insufficient.

Read at Psychology Today