Swinging+in+the+United+States

toc =Swinging in the United States=

Introduction
Swinging is a type of consensual non-monogamy that takes place within the context of a couple relationship. It has been defined as “non-monogamous sexual activity, treated much like any other social activity, that can be experienced as a couple” (Bergstrand & Williams, 2000, paragraph 2). Unlike polyamory, swinging focuses extramarital sexual activity with limited emotional ties. Swinging combines the stability of monogamy with the excitement of consensual extra-marital sex in a way that simultaneously defies and reinforces the traditional construct of monogamy. Monogamy is disrupted by the extra-marital sexual activity, but is reinforced by maintaining the emotionally committed couple as the primary relationship.

=Origins of Swinging=

The exact origins of swinging in the United States are unknown. It began appearing in the media in the 1950s under the term wife-swapping (Bergrstrand & Williams, 2000). The authors note that it has been suggested that swinging began amongst military couples, later evolving into the term swinging in the media in the 1960s and '70s. Swinging is also referred to as the Lifestyle and couples may speak of play and play partners, emphasizing the playful and social nature of the activity. Swinging involves communication amongst all parties and both partners in a couple must consent to be involved in swinging. The term swinging, as opposed to wife-swapping, reflects the mutually consensual nature of the activity.

Types of Swinging
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There are several forms of swinging defined according to the participants and activities involved. These include soft swinging, swinging with one, swinging with another couple, and group swinging (Taormino, 2008). In soft swinging, two couples have sex in the same room but do not exchange partners, the female partners touch each other while the men watch, or the couples switch partners but engage in varying levels of physical intimacy that exclude intercourse. In swinging with one, a couple plays together with one other person (usually a single woman). Swinging with another couple usually involves switching partners and may include sexual activity between the two women but rarely includes sexual activity between the two men. Group swinging involves multiple partners or couples engaging in sexual activity at the same time.

According to the North America Swing Club Association ([|NASCA], 2014) swinging may take place at swing clubs or events,or at private homes (sometimes after meeting at a club or event, or through a swinger publication or listserv). Swing clubs may be on-premises, meaning that sexual activity takes place in semi-public or private rooms at the club, or off-premises, meaning that sexual activity takes place at a hotel or private home after meeting at the club. Swing clubs may also organize travel and conventions dedicated to swingers.

=Prevalence and Demographics=

Much of the literature on swingers is outdated, written in the 1970s or '80s, and research studies have often been limited by small, non-random samples (Fernandes, 2009). As such, it is difficult to gain an accurate picture of the prevalence of swinging in the United States. In a review of the literature, Jenks (1998) cites various figures, and concludes that the incidence of swinging in the United States is likely around 2% of married couples.

Early research suggested that swingers tend to be white, middle or upper-middle class, and Republican (eg. Jenks, 1985a). In a more recent study of 1092 swingers, distributed across a broad geographical area via swinger websites and listservs, Bergstrand and Williams (2000) found the following demographics:
 * Average age: 39
 * Education: 2 years of college
 * Number of times married: 1.5
 * Length of current marriage: 10.5 years
 * Length of time involved in swinging: 5 years
 * Race: 90 % white, 4% African American, 3% Hispanic,1.5% other
 * Slightly more likely to be religious than the general population
 * Representing all political parties

In an online survey comparing swingers to those who engage in polyamory, Jenks (2014) found that swingers tend to be in their 30s or 40s, in the middle or upper-middle class, and white. However, in contrast to previous studies, they had lower levels of identification with religious institutions, were more likely to be Democratic, and had more liberal views. Both swingers and polyamorists, as compared to the general sample, were more likely to have liberal views on social issues and were more likely to say that they needed counselling (but were also more satisfied with their emotional and mental well-being than the general sample).

In in-depth interviews with swinging couples, Vaillaincourt and Few-Demo (2014) discovered the following themes: equal decision-making regarding nonsexual concerns in the relationship, equal decision-making regarding swinging activity,desire to continue swinging in the future, privacy about involvement in swinging (choosing to whom they disclose their involvement), bisexual identity for women, and stigma regarding bisexuality for men.

Becoming a Swinger
Couples are more likely to become involved in swinging at the initiation of the husband, (Vaillaincourt & Few-Demo, 2014). In their survey of over 1000 swingers, Bergstrand and Williams (2000) found that 56% of men and 45% of women listed more sexual variety as reasons for swinging, while approximately 1/3 of participants listed meeting new friends as a reason for swinging.

To date, the most prolific writer on swinging is Jenks. He developed a five-step process model to explain a person's participation in swinging: (Jenks, 1985b).
 * Step 1) A strong interest in and/or early involvement in sex
 * Step 2) Personal characteristics conducive to swinging: liberal sexual orientation, low degree of jealousy
 * Step 3) Passive phase characterized by learning and talking about swinging, thinking about participating
 * Step 4) Active phase characterized by contact with swinging; possibility for withdrawal from swinging at this point
 * Step 5) Commitment phase characterized by actual involvement, socialization into swinging, and development of a rationale for swinging

=Impact on Relationships=

In a review of the literature to date, Jenks (1998) found that the majority of swingers believe that swinging has not had a negative impact on their relationship. This was supported by Bergstrand and Williams (2000) survey of 1092 swingers, which found the following:
 * 65% reported improved relationships since beginning to engage in swinging
 * 35% reported that their relationships stayed the same
 * less than 2% reported that their relationships had become less happy since swinging
 * 68% did not have difficulty controlling jealousy

=Criticisms=

Although a form of non-monogamy, swinging reinforces the concept of monogamy by placing the couple as the primary unit. Swinging has been criticized for reinforcing heteronormativity due to the emphasis on traditional marriage, the power differentials evident in the fact that husbands are more likely to introduce their wives to swinging, and the stigma against male bisexuality while female bisexuality is accepted (Vaillaincourt & Few-Demo, 2014).

Swinging may be viewed as a risky sexual practice. However, in his 1998 review of the literature, Jenks found a theme of awareness and concern about risks of STIs and HIV, and some swingers have changed their sexual practices or discontinued swinging for this reason.

Swingers may be perceived as being deviant or irresponsible in general, beyond their unconventional sexual lifestyle. Swingers have been perceived by non-swingers to be more likely to drink alcohol, smoke marijuana, use drugs, and to have more permissive attitudes toward premarital sex and prostitution (Jenks, 1985a).

=Swinging Resources on the Web=

[|CoupleDoingIt] - Information about the Lifestyle and swinger dating websites [|NASCA] - North American Swing Club Association, lists events, clubs, resorts, and online communities [|Swinging--That's What S/he Said] - One couple's blog about their experiences in the Lifestyle [|The Swing Scene] - Blog, articles, swinging in the media, and resources

=References=

Bergstrand, C. & Williams, J.B. (2000). Today’s alternative marriage styles: The case of swingers. //Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality.// http://www.ejhs.org/volume3/swing/body.htm. Accessed 10/24/2014.

Fernandes, E.M. (2009) The Swinging Paradigm. //Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, 12.// http://www.ejhs.org/Volume12/Swinging2.htm. Accessed 10/24/2014.

Jenks, R.J. (1985a). Swinging: A replication and test of a theory. //Journal of Sex Research//, 21, 199-210.

Jenks, R.J. (1985b). Swinging: A test of two theories and a proposed new model. //Archives of Sexual Behavior//, 14, 517-527.

Jenks, R.J. (1988). Rokeach's terminal values survey and swingers. J//ournal of Psychology & Human Sexuality//, 1, 87-96.

Jenks, R.J. (1998). Swinging: A review of the literature. //Archives of Sexual Behavior//, 27, 507-521.

Jenks, R.J. (2014). An online survey comparing swingers and polyamorists. //Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, 17.// http://www.ejhs.org/volume17/swing.html.

NASCA International. FAQ. (2014). Retreived October 24, 2014, from [|www.nasca.com/faq.html].

Taormino, T. (2000). // Opening up: A guide to creating and sustaining open relationships //. San Francisco, CA: Cleiss Press Inc.

Vaillaincourt, K.T. & Few-Demo, A.L. (2014). Relational dynamics of swinging relationships: An exploratory study. //The Family Journal//, 22, 311-320.