An examination of how we live in a mononormative paradigm and how nonmonogamous people can defy the status quo.

Exploring nonmonogamy can require us to shift our worldview and deconstruct what we’ve been taught about relationship dynamics. However, it is difficult to defy paradigms while also existing within them—even as we strive to unlearn established norms, we can find ourselves unintentionally reproducing the principles of paradigms like mononormativity in our nonmonogamous relationships. In a society where monogamy is established as normal and reinforced through legal systems and cultural etiquette, this is not surprising.

By examining prevalent cultural norms and values, and presenting real-life examples of mononormativity’s impact, Marla Schreiber encourages readers to consider their own preconceptions and guides them towards effectively defying mononormativity and other intersecting paradigms.