My research seeks to investigate how non-monogamous individuals approach the concept of family and their perspectives on raising children in non-traditional households. There may be a number of benefits to having a wider network of adults involved in childcare – and polyamorous family settings provide a unique opportunity to identify the potential risks or benefits of involving non-kin romantic partners in child-rearing duties. However, to date, academic literature examining minority stress theory, including the limited amount of research that considers polyamorous people, tends to exclude non-monogamous family dynamics and their impact on children.

This project will utilise a mixed methodology quantitative and qualitative approach. The initial component will be a detailed survey of polyamorous parents, which will assess the number of partners involved in parenting, children’s knowledge of polyamory and minority stress experienced, among others. The survey will be followed by an in-depth qualitative interview study using the hybrid methodology of family mapping, providing verbal and visual data and sampling multiple generations of family members.