Alternative Lifestyles for Women
- One of the most obvious "lifestyles" thought of when coupled with the term "alternative" in terms of women are lesbians and bisexuals. Going against the assumed heterosexuality that generations before us have assumed to be the "right way," lesbians and bisexual women who come out of the closet are seen as bucking the system. As more and more people fight for gay rights, however, and gay marriage becomes a possibility in at least portions of the U.S., being a lesbian or bisexual may not be as "alternative" as other lifestyles might seem.
- Mormons and the Church of Latter Day Saints are known for their polygamist practices.George Frey/Getty Images News/Getty Images
With shows like "Big Love" and "Sister Wives" bringing polygamy into today's limelight, this lifestyle is getting more press than ever before. It remains illegal, however, to marry more than one person, so if you are looking for a lifestyle that won't get you thrown in jail, polygamy might not be for you. If you are interested in love between more than two persons, however, the polyamorous lifestyle might be a good fit. Those who consider themselves polyamorous take multiple partners at a time, akin to swingers in many ways. Most of these individuals do not intend to wed, thus their alternative lifestyle could be considered somewhat more acceptable than polygamy. - For those who enjoy their bodies and prefer living in the buff, you might consider becoming a nudist, or naturist. The nudist lifestyle is completely contained in homes and resorts worldwide. Most nudists are secretive about their proclivities, enjoying their "alternative" lifestyle behind closed doors, or with others who have taken up the same lifestyle.
- Those who are taken by the S&M lifestyle use whips and chains on their sexual partners to heighten their enjoyment.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
Sadomasochism, or the infliction of pain on yourself and others, is certainly not a lifestyle for everyone. Similar to the world of nudists, this is another practice that is usually held in private or in underground clubs that provide the requisite tools of the trade. Such tools include whips, chains, gags, leather...This is not a lifestyle for the faint of heart. - A treasure trove for a freegan, most people involved in this lifestyle go through trash daily to find food that remains edible.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
One lifestyle alternative that doe not involve sex or sexual inclinations is that of the freegan. A fairly new term, freegans aim to scavenge for everything they need, never utilizing money and never wasting a thing. They often dumpster-dive for food and become squatters in abandoned houses. They aim to remove themselves from the economy as much as possible. It doesn't get much alternative than that!
