What unusual types of marriages exist in the modern world
Kyiv • UNN
Modern couples are increasingly choosing non-traditional relationship formats over a classic lifestyle. There are guest, open, temporary, and even virtual marriages.
In today's world, more and more people are moving away from cookie-cutter marriages and seeking a relationship format in which they personally feel comfortable. Family life has already turned into a space for experimentation, and new types of marriages only confirm this. UNN will provide more details on the types of marriages that exist.
Commuter Marriage (Guest Marriage)
For many modern couples, love no longer means living together. In a commuter marriage, partners may be officially married but live separately, meeting only when they want to spend time together. This format is often chosen by people who do not want to lose their personal space or change the lifestyle they are accustomed to. In these relationships, there is no shared household, no arguments over domestic chores, or the need to constantly adapt to another person, yet partners can still have children, travel together, and maintain a full romantic relationship. The main rule is fidelity and mutual agreement. One of the most prominent couples who followed this type of marriage was director Tim Burton and actress Helena Bonham Carter, who were together for 13 years.
Open Marriage
Open marriage remains one of the most controversial formats of modern relationships. Its essence is that partners allow each other romantic or sexual connections with other people. Proponents of this format are convinced that a person is not always capable of being monogamous for a lifetime, and that honesty in a relationship is more important than prohibitions. That is why partners discuss the boundaries of what is permitted in advance and do not hide their infatuations. However, in practice, open relationships often turn out to be more complicated than they seem. Jealousy, emotional attachment to others, and differing visions of freedom can destroy even the most honest union. Read also: The Ministry of Justice explained the legal consequences of marriages of convenience.
Temporary Marriage
Some people choose a temporary family, i.e., a marriage with a fixed term. In such relationships, partners agree to be together for, say, 3 years, and then make a decision—to part ways, extend the term, or stay "together forever." Supporters of this format consider it honest and practical, as people change, and their needs change with them. Despite its unusual nature, such marriages often involve a shared household, children, and traditional monogamy. The only difference is that the union is not perceived as a "lifelong obligation."
Singles
Singles are people who consciously choose a life without marriage or cohabitation; instead, they highly value freedom, personal space, and independence, and do not consider solitude a problem. At the same time, this does not mean a complete rejection of romance. Such people have relationships but do not seek to transition them into an official union. Sologamy
Sologamy—that is, a symbolic "marriage to oneself," or a "solo wedding." People hold ceremonies and even buy rings, effectively demonstrating that the most important person in their life is themselves. For many people, this format of marriage serves as an unusual way of self-acceptance.
"White" Marriage
A "white" marriage is one in which partners consciously renounce sexual relations. The reasons can vary—for example, religious beliefs, spiritual practices, or personal views. In such unions, emotional and spiritual closeness becomes paramount. Often, this format is chosen by creative or deeply religious people for whom the physical aspect of the relationship is not a priority. And although "white" marriages are extremely rare, they prove once again that there is no universal script for love. A striking example of this type of marriage was Salvador Dalí and his wife and muse, Gala.
Boston Marriage
A Boston marriage is the cohabitation of two women, friends, who share a household and support each other. Historically, this format became popular at a time when women gained the opportunity to receive an education and financial independence. For many, it was a way to avoid unwanted marriage, build a life by their own rules, and also because managing a household and maintaining a home together is easier than doing it alone. Importantly, a Boston marriage does not imply a romantic relationship between the women. Its foundation is partnership, support, and a shared life.
Lavender Marriage
A lavender marriage is a union entered into to conceal the true sexual orientation of one or both partners. Most often, such marriages were common during times when homosexuality was strictly condemned by society. Formally, people created a "traditional" family to avoid judgment, loss of career, or social pressure. However, such unions often proved to be emotionally difficult and short-lived due to the need to constantly hide the truth.
Virtual Marriage
In the digital age, even marriage can exist online. Virtual couples meet on the web, undergo symbolic ceremonies, and receive electronic "certificates." Sometimes partners do not see each other in real life for years, communicating only through screens. Ultimately, proponents of this format are convinced that true feelings do not depend on physical presence.
Object Marriage
The most unusual format can be called a union between a person and an object or even a phenomenon, rather than a partner. There have been cases in the world where people "married" dolls, robots, or architectural objects. The most famous example is a woman who officially called herself the wife of the Berlin Wall. Although it looks absurd to most, psychologists explain that such stories are often related to a need for stability, control, or a desire to escape from complex human relationships.