I agree with Telemark that when dancing socially, it is important to have more than one partner. I dance socially every Friday night and dance with several men. However, the original poster was talking about competition. And in my experience, it is not possible to dance with more than one partner if you want to win. You need one coach and one partner. Concentrate on what your coach tells you and work with one partner to get it right. As soon as one partner feels inadequate or pressured, the partnership is doomed and the results will not be good. I also think that dancers should not forget that dancing is a social activity first and foremost. I'm always sorry when I hear someone say that they never dance socially anymore.

Totally agree with Ladydance.

Social - more the merrier! Never forget you were a new dancer once upon a time!

Comps - Can you really face more than one partner moaning?!

This is an example of the difference in attitudes between hobby dancers who may compete recreationally, and the traditions and decorum of more dedicated competitive efforts.

To some extent, you could call any competing professional who has pro/am students out on the inconsistency of this (and there are very real costs to their partnership that arrise from it) but for economic reasons that is seen as normal, while multiple partners is seen as a hobbyist thing to be outgrown if one wishes to really focus on achieving something in a partnership.