Abstract

Polyamory is a consensual relationship style involving multiple romantic and/or sexual partners, with SOPO (solo polyamory), VEE, and OPP (one penis policy) being specific polyamorous dynamics that often face heightened bias. The reality show "Sister Wives" offers a compelling case study of both stigmatization and potential normalization of non-monogamous relationships in mainstream media. This manuscript examines how "Sister Wives" both reinforces and challenges stereotypes about polyamory, its impact on public perception, and how the experiences of the Brown family parallel those of SOPO VEE OPP practitioners. By analyzing media representation alongside lived experiences, we can better understand how to promote education, challenge stereotypes, and build supportive communities that foster acceptance of diverse relationship styles.

Document Type

Article

Source Publication

Journal of Popular Romance Studies

Version

Published Version

Publication Date

7-2026

Volume

15

Issue

1

First Page

132

Last Page

136

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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The Author(s)

Comments

Published in partnership with the International Association for the Study of Popular Romance.

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