CallaFirestormBW
Posts: 3650
Joined: 6/29/2008 Status: offline
|
You're right, Kia. We feel what we feel, and no emotion is inherently wrong. It is also true that many folks manage to have healthy, happy poly existences despite the occasional whimper or scream of jealousy cropping up in one or more of the parties. This is -normal-. It is -normal- for human beings to feel protective of the people and things that they cherish. Like morning sickness in relation to pregnancy (the worse the morning sickness, the more hormonally stable the pregnancy), jealousy can mark a strong emotional attachment to the family, and shouldn't be ignored or dismissed as "bad". Instead, the goal of the poly household should be in figuring out two things: 1. What is triggering the territorial/protective mode? 2. Can something be done to restore equilibrium to the people who are struggling with territorial/protective issues? If the answer to the 1st question shows something that can be worked through and resolved, then the focus needs to be on doing the work to stabilize the family, whether the reason is a newcomer to the family or behaviors that have shaken the established roles within that family or outside stressors that are battering everyone. If the answer to the 2nd question is "No", then it becomes prudent to consider whether it is possible and healthy for everyone to keep trying for the poly structure, new addition, or whatever the trigger is. People have to be willing to find the issue and do the work, or the relationship (not just poly, but -any- relationship) is not going to survive its' transition. If the answer is "yes", and everyone is willing to get on board, accept and embrace their own feelings and their contributions to how others are perceiving the relationship, and the attendant feelings that arise from those perceptions, then the relationship and the individuals all have a chance for some amazing growth. I think the thing that has been so disappointing for -me- in these forums is the number of times that people who come with questions are told that their situation will "never" work, and that they should just give up. To me, the combination of denying feelings and reinforcing that "these type of relationships" are "doomed to fail" encourages the idea that poly is non-viable, even for the people who really -want- to give it a solid shot. To address one of your other comments: quote:
So, when I read thru polyamory discussions & hear that there is a belief that jealousy is 'wrong' or that there are people who never feel jealousy, I'm having a hard time understanding how that works . . . . . . I can honestly say that I don't feel jealousy. I may feel some insecurity on occasion (especially if there is a great deal of change very quickly--despite being a Chaos Magnet, I still find that level of change difficult to process), or may be particularly irritated or even angry about how something is being managed in the household or about a person's or people's behavior(s), but jealousy isn't something that is inherent in my nature. I don't know why -- and I -do- know that it is uncommon enough to nearly be considered 'abnormal'. In some ways, I consider it a social flaw, since the absence of jealousy in me seems to exacerbate feelings, in some people, that I must not care for them as deeply as I say that I do. It is possible to have a person who truly doesn't feel jealousy, but I certainly wouldn't make that a prerequisite for a successful poly household, especially since I know, from experience, that it is possible to be a -very- jealous, acquisitive person and still manage to make a profoundly satisfying poly partner... otherwise, someone I love dearly would NEVER have survived in our household. The fact that xhe has, for 15 years, is a testament to the fact that jealousy does not have to limit the capacity to fit into a poly household (even if you're not in what we call the "origin" group, which some would call a "primary", which xhe isn't).
_____________________________
*** Said to me recently: "Look, I know you're the "voice of reason"... but dammit, I LIKE being unreasonable!!!!" "Your mind is more interested in the challenge of becoming than the challenge of doing." Jon Benson, Bodybuilder/Trainer
|