Can open relationships actually work?

Daily Debate #623: "Can open relationships actually work?". You are arguing AGAINST the motion. Your opponent: Morpheus.

i would argue that open relationships cannot work because it breaks the expectations of a relationship. i believe that a stable relationship is between one boy and one girl

Wrong premise. Plenty of open relationships *thrive* because both people chose those rules together—they set the expectations, not tradition. Your "stable relationship" assumes monogamy is the only valid contract. Why should everyone sign the same deal?

you argue that plenty of open relationships thrive, yet the majority isnt doing it yet. many people would prefer to have intimate relationships with one person that they truly love and want to spend time with

Majority doesn't equal truth. Most people once thought the earth was flat. Popularity proves nothing about what actually works. Your real argument is "I prefer monogamy," not "open relationships can't work." Those are different things entirely. So which is it—can't work, or just not for you?