A 2022 survey of more than 14,000 Bumble users showed 16% of US individuals have considered an ENM relationship|Norma Dorothy|CC BY 2.0
Americans trying to find ‘the one’ on mainstream dating apps are frustrated with increasing profiles of people in consensual open relationships, commonly known as ethical non-monogamy (ENM).
What is ENM?
Ethical non-monogamy, also called consensual non-monogamy, is when a person is romantically involved with multiple people, and all are aware of and agree to it.
ENM on the rise
A 2022 survey of more than 14,000 Bumble users showed that 16% of US individuals have considered an ENM relationship.
A 2023 YouGov poll of 1,000 Americans found about one-third of them favor romantic attachments other than complete monogamy.
To cater to the rise in such consensual polyamorous relationships, Hinge made it possible for users to mention their “relationship type” at the top of their profile in 2022.
It says the move was mainly for Gen Zs, who, according to a spokesman for the app, “is the most fluid generation in terms of their sexuality and identity.”
However, the coexistence of monogamists and non-monogamists on the same dating apps often leads to mismatched expectations and dissatisfaction, says the Wall Street Journal.
Several monogamous users feel that these profiles belong on niche apps like Feeld, which cater specifically to various nonmonogamous and diverse sexual orientations.