Multiple and Concurrent Sexual Partnerships

Sexual practices vary widely, and individuals who have multiple sexual partners may or may not engage in concurrent sexual partnerships. Researchers distinguish serial monogamy, in which an individual may have multiple sexual partners without any overlapping partnerships, from concurrency. Individuals who are involved in concurrent relationships may or may not have a high number of lifetime sexual partners since some concurrent partnerships are long-term, stable, or "closed" relationships, such as polygamy. There is some controversy about the nature of various cultural norms and the risks entailed by these relationships.