In the context of polyamory, a polycule is a group of individuals connected by set of overlapping relationships – romantic, sexual, and sometimes also platonic – that connect all the members in the group in the same way that atomic bonds connect the atoms in a molecule. The word is a portmanteau of "polyamory" and "molecule".[1][2][3][4]
Like a molecule, a polycule can be simple or very complex.[2][4]
The origin of the term is not clear, but it seems to enter the popular lexicon starting in the early 2010s.[1] By the 2020s, discussions of polycules had entered the mainstream media.[5][6]
Terms
editWhile polycules can take on many different configurations, there are a few common structures and terms.[2]
- V structure describes a three-person polycule where one person is dating the two others, but the two others are not dating one another.[2] It is also known as a type of triad.[7]
- N structure describes a four-person polycule where each couple contributes one person to a third relationship. It takes its name from the letter "N", since each line represents a relationship, and each end point represents an individual.[2]
- Throuple describes a group of three people where all individuals are in a relationship with the other two people in the group.[2][8]
- Quad describes a four-person polycule. While N Structures are all quads, not all quads are N structures.[7][2]
- Metamour is a term that refers to one's partner's partner.[2]
In popular culture
edit- The television program Riverdale series finale revealed a four-person polycule, or quad, between Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead.[9]
- In season 3 of Bridgerton, Benedict Bridgerton explores being in a "throuple" with Lady Tilly Arnold and Paul Suarez.[10]
- Luca Guadagnino's 2024 movie Challengers drew social media references to the three characters of Tashi, Patrick and Art as a "throuple".[11] However, members of the polyamorous community pushed back on using the "throuple" term since the relationship dynamics didn't follow the conventions of ethical non-monogamy and transparency.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Bergner, Interviews by Daniel (2024-04-15). "Lessons From a 20-Person Polycule". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Dumais, Eliza; Engle, Gigi (2024-01-18). "Sure, We'll Tell You About Polycules". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ Bote, Joshua. "What you need to know about polyamory – including throuples – but were too afraid to ask". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ a b "Polycules Are Common In Ethical Non-Monogamy – Here's What They Are". Women's Health. 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ Davis, Allison P. (2024-01-16). "What Does a Polycule Actually Look Like?". The Cut. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ "Sure, We'll Tell You About Polycules". Cosmopolitan. 2024-01-18. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ a b Bote, Joshua. "What you need to know about polyamory – including throuples – but were too afraid to ask". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ Bote, Joshua. "What you need to know about polyamory – including throuples – but were too afraid to ask". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ Holland, Becca (2023-09-02). "'Riverdale's Finale Quad Is the Right Way to Handle a Ship Endgame Debate". Collider. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ Lang, Cady (2024-06-13). "Even Bridgerton Is Flirting With Polyamory". TIME. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ a b Mayeda, Olivia Cruz (2024-05-02). "'Challengers' Has Ignited 'Throuple' Discourse – One Polyamorous Couple Weighs In". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 2024-07-21.