Open relationships aren’t even restricted to in-between the sheets anymore either, with reality shows such as Open House: The Great Sex Experiment and Couple to Throuple providing on-screen representation for non-monogamous lifestyles.
There’s a trend called ‘hotwifing’ – which numerous couples claim has saved their relationship.
Here is everything you need to know about hotwifing and what the experts think about it.
What does it mean to be a ‘hotwife’?
Hotwifing is a particular form of polyamorous relationship involving heterosexual couples.
In a hotwife relationship, a woman will have her partner’s (usually her husband) consent to sleep with over people. Meanwhile, the husband will simultaneously get sexual satisfaction out of the thought of her watching or getting it on with another person.
In order to avoid jealousy or accusations of infidelity, the couple will set boundaries for the extramarital trysts.
Consent is key in the world of hotwifing, with most couples who partake considering themselves ethically non-monogamous.
So, what do experts think about this trend – can it really save a relationship?
What have experts said about hotwifing?
In order for the hotwife lifestyle to work without complications, sex and relationship experts all stress the importance of communication between both parties.
Unpacking the lifestyle in an interview with Men’s Health, sex podcaster Jess O’Reilly, PhD, revealed the allure comes from numerous places such as compersion, subverting relationship norms and age-old taboos.
As for whether or not it can improve your relationship, it all comes down to communication and consent.
“Debrief after new encounters to ensure you both feel safe and cared for,” O’Reilly added.
“When things go well, you can use the conversation and memories to fuel excitement and connection. If things don’t go well, you can share insights, offer support, and discuss how you might do things differently in the future.”
What have couples said about hotwifing?
Couples who partake in the hotwife lifestyle are, of course, complimentary about their decision to open up their relationship.
“He would always say ‘I have the hottest woman in the world, why would I not want to share,'” adult content creator and hotwife Holly Jones said in an interview with the Holly Randall Unfiltered podcast.
However, she was keen to stress the feeling isn’t degrading for her or her husband, adding: “It’s not the degrading aspect, it’s like, ‘Look what I have.’ It’s kind of the trophy thing, but it fulfils his fantasies so there’s nothing disrespectful about it. It’s comfortable to us.”
“It’s kind of like letting your friend test drive your car,” said one husband, when asked about the subject by MailOnline.
“He gets to see how well it rides,” his wife added. “He’s got to give it back, but it creates a sense of pride. You get a little taste of what my life is like.”