poly in the Post

[much_ado]

Washington Post runs a relatively-positive post about poly relationships.

one passage in particular hit me in light of my own recent noodlings about modern therapy:

But as people are increasingly expected to self-actualize clear to the grave, what are the chances that they'll pair up with someone who is on the exact same path of discovery

Comments

[3ravensringo]

One of the Great Questions appears to be "What are we entitled to, anyway?"

It seems as though it was a simpler thing in prehistoric times. Did you kill that mastodon? Ok. It's all you...Unless I fight you for it, and win.

Are we entitled to anything, on a Maslov's hierarchy sort of level? I mean, we get air for free, but almost everything else requires some sort of effort on our part...Like hunting that damned mastodon.

It may be as basic, depending on the culture in question, that we're entitled to the fruits of our efforts. So, if complete romantic fulfillment is what you want, and you're willing to work to get it, then you're entitled to enjoy the results of your labor...Unless our laws and culture intervene in some way.

Bah! Where's the mastodon?!

[redsash]

Exactly. The word "entitlement" implies some higher power handing out perks. You get what you can grab.

~r

[lightcastle]

So you don't believe people are entitled to rights?

[redsash]

You're using passive voice. Who gives people rights?

~r

[lightcastle]

Yes. Answer the question.

[much_ado]

i think a different way of asking R's question might be, "Where do the rights that people feel entitled to claim originate

[redsash]

Answer mine and I might consider that you want to have a discussion rather than just attack me when I don't agree with you. Please speak precisely if you want me to take you seriously.

Do I believe that fairies magically grant us entitlements to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? No.

I think that a very, very small minority of the more enlightened governments in history have tried to grant their citizens rights, with less than stellar records of success. I certainly think that's their job, but so far they pretty much suck at it.

As far as relationships go, I can only give what I have to give, and that hardly guarantees that I will get back anything like the equivalent.

What do you think you're entitled to, LC?

~r

[redhotlips]

That is about the only thing that gets me hung up in all this... Is this actually a need, or is it a perk of intellect that leads me to think that Poly is ideal? Am I a product of my generations (Gen Y, the Me Generation) and am I actually entitled to have it all, so to speak.