What is hierarchical polyamory?

• A. A form of polyamory where all partners are considered equal.
• B. A form where individuals have multiple partners and no primary partner.
• C. Having multiple partners while living independently.
• D. A form of polyamory where individuals have a primary partner.

Answer: (D)

Hierarchical polyamory centers on prioritizing relationships, with some partners ranked above others. In this setup, there’s typically a primary partner who takes priority in time, emotional energy, and important life decisions, while additional partners are considered secondary and receive less priority. This emphasis on levels of importance is what defines hierarchical polyamory.

Having a primary partner is the defining feature because it establishes that some relationships are prioritized over others. The idea isn’t about being exclusive or including many people; it’s about the structured hierarchy where the primary relationship guides decisions and time allocation.

Other descriptions don’t fit this concept as neatly. Treating all partners as equal describes non-hierarchical polyamory. Having multiple partners with no primary partner describes a lack of hierarchy. Living independently with multiple partners speaks to logistics, not the rating of relationships.