Editing Swinging (sexual practice)

{{short description|Non-monogamous sexual practice}}
{{globalize||United States|date=June 2023}}
{{Close relationships}}
'''Swinging''', earlier commonly known as '''wife-swapping''', is a [[Human sexual activity|sexual activity]] in which both singles and partners in a [[committed relationship]] sexually engage with others for [[casual sex|recreational]] purposes.<ref name="case_for_swingers">{{cite journal |journal=[[Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality]] |last=Bergstrand |first=Curtis |author2=Blevins Williams, Jennifer |date=October 10, 2000 |title=Today's Alternative Marriage Styles: The Case of Swingers |volume=3 |access-date=December 24, 2020 |url=http://www.ejhs.org/volume3/swing/body.htm}}</ref> Swinging is a form of [[non-monogamy]]. People may choose a swinging lifestyle for a variety of reasons. Practitioners cite an increased quality and quantity of sex. Some people may engage in swinging to add variety into their otherwise conventional sex lives or due to their curiosity. Some couples see swinging as a healthy outlet and means to strengthen their relationship.<ref name="case_for_swingers" />

The term "wife swapping" was introduced by the media in the United States during the 1950s to describe this emerging phenomenon.<ref name="case_for_swingers" /> Swinging, or its wider discussion and practice, is regarded by some as arising from the freer attitudes to sexual activity after the [[sexual revolution]] of the 1960s, the invention and availability of the [[contraceptive pill]], and the emergence of treatments for many of the [[sexually transmitted infection]]s that were known at that time. The adoption of [[safe sex]] practices became more common in the late 1980s. It is also a recurring theme in [[pornography]]. 

The swingers community sometimes refers to itself as "the lifestyle", or as "the alternative lifestyle".<ref>{{cite book|last=Bergstrand|first=Curtis R.|title=Swinging in America : love, sex, and marriage in the 21st century|year=2010|publisher=Praeger/ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, Calif.|isbn=978-0313379666|author2=Sinski, Jennifer Blevins }}</ref> <!-- not supported in article: Another term, "hotwife / hotwifing" specifically refers to a married woman who often has sexual relations with different men, with the approval of her husband. -->

==Description==
[[John Stossel]] produced an investigative news report into the swinging lifestyle. Stossel's report in 2005 cited [[Terry Gould]]'s research, which concluded that "couples swing in order to not cheat on their partners". When Stossel asked swinging couples whether they worry their spouse will "find they like someone else better", one male replied, "People in the swinging community swing for a reason. They don't swing to go out and find a new wife", a woman asserted, "It makes women more confident – that they are the ones in charge". Stossel interviewed 12 marriage counselors. According to Stossel, "not one of them said don't do it", though some said "getting sexual thrills outside of marriage can threaten a marriage". Swingers whom Stossel interviewed said "their marriages are stronger because they don't have affairs and they don't lie to each other".<ref name="ABC">{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=2395727&page=1#.UG4e3U3A_Jc |title=The 'Lifestyle' – Real-Life Wife Swaps |date=18 March 2005 |publisher=ABC 20/20}}</ref>

Swinging can take place in a number of contexts, ranging from spontaneous sexual activity involving partner swapping or adding a third or more participants at an informal gathering of friends to planned regular social meetings to "[[Casual sex|hooking up]]" with like-minded people at a [[sex club]] (also known as a swinger club, not to be confused with a [[strip club]]). Different clubs offer varied facilities and atmospheres, and often hold "theme" nights.

Swinging is also known to take place in semi-public venues such as hotels, resorts, or cruise ships, or often in private homes.<ref name="Goodman">{{cite web |last=Goodman |first=Hallie |title=Happily Married Swingers |url=http://www.redbookmag.com/love-sex/advice/happy-swinger-couples |publisher=Redbook |access-date=2 July 2013|date=September 2017 }}</ref> Furthermore, many websites that cater to swinging couples now exist, some having hundreds of thousands of members.<ref name="Goodman"/>

In 2018, a study of the prevalence of non-monogamous practices in the [[United States]] estimated that 2.35% of Americans currently self-identify as swingers and 4.76% had identified as swingers at some point in their lifetime.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.31234/osf.io/st2k5 |title=Counting polyamorists who count: Prevalence and definitions of an under-researched form of consensual nonmonogamy |last1=Burleigh |first1=Tyler |last2=Rubel |first2=Alicia |journal=PsyArXiv |url=http://psyarxiv.com/st2k5/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rudder |first=Marisa |title=Hotwife: A Couple's Guide to Hotwifing |publisher=Randall Caruso |date=Dec 18, 2021 |isbn=9781736183557 |edition=11 |location=USA |pages=125 |language=English}}</ref>

== Effects ==

=== Relationship quality ===
Research on swinging has been conducted in the United States since the late 1960s. One 2000 study, based on an Internet questionnaire addressed to visitors of swinger-related sites, found swingers reported happiness is higher in their relationships than the norm-reported happiness.<ref name="case_for_swingers" />
Some believe sexual attraction is part of human nature and should be openly enjoyed by a committed or married couple. An analysis of multiple studies showed 37% of husbands and 29% of wives admitted at least one extramarital affair.<ref name="Reinisch, Beasley, Kent, & Kinsey Institute 1990">{{cite book |last=Reinisch |first=June Machover |author-link=June Reinisch |last2=Beasley |first2=Ruth |last3=Kent |first3=Debra |author4=Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction |author4-link=Kinsey Institute |title=The Kinsey Institute New Report on Sex: What You Must Know to be Sexually Literate |publisher=St. Martin's Press |publication-place=New York |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-312-05268-3 |oclc=645832116|page=[https://archive.org/details/kinseyinstituten00rein_0/page/72/mode/2up 73]}}</ref>

===Sexually-transmitted infections===
Swingers are exposed to the same types of risks as people who engage in [[casual sex]], with the main concerns being the risk of pregnancy or contracting a [[sexually transmitted infection]] (STI). Some swingers engage in unprotected sex, a practice known as [[Bareback (sexual act)|barebacking]], while others follow [[safe sex]] practices and will not engage with others who do not also practice safe sex. In most swingers' clubs, [[condom]]s are freely available and sometimes the club may require their use. Swingers may reduce the risk of STI by exchanging STI test results and [[serosorting]]. Proponents of swinging argue that safe sex is accepted within the swinging community and the risk of sexual disease is the same for them as for the general population&nbsp;– and that some populations of sexually non-monogamous people have clearly lower rates of STIs than the general population.<ref>{{cite journal |title=A Comparison of Sexual Health History and Practices among Monogamous and Consensually Nonmonogamous Sexual Partners. |year = 2015 |publisher=NCBI |pmid = 26395880 |last1=Lehmiller |first1= J. J. |journal=The Journal of Sexual Medicine |volume=12 |issue=10 |pages=2022–8 |doi = 10.1111/jsm.12987}}</ref> Opponents are also concerned about the risk of pregnancy and STIs such as [[HIV]], arguing that even protected sex is risky given that some STIs may be spread regardless of the use of condoms, such as [[Herpes]] and [[Human papillomavirus infection|HPV]]. In a 1992 study, an overall 7% of swingers had quit swinging because of the [[HIV/AIDS]] epidemic. It was also stated that 62% of swingers changed their sex practices, by becoming more selective with partners or by practicing safe sex.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jenks |first1=Richard J. |year=1998 |title=Swinging: A Review of the Literature |journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior |volume=27 |issue=5 |pages=507–521 |doi=10.1023/a:1018708730945 |pmid=9795730 |s2cid=5971960}}</ref>

A Dutch study that compared the medical records of self-reported swingers to that of the general population found that STI prevalence was highest in young people, homosexual men, and swingers.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1136/sti.2009.041954 |pmid=20577016 |title=Older and swinging; need to identify hidden and emerging risk groups at STI clinics |journal=Sexually Transmitted Infections |volume=86 |issue=4 |pages=315–317 |year=2010 |last1=Dukers-Muijrers |first1=N. H. T. M. |last2=Niekamp |first2=A.-M. |last3=Brouwers |first3=E. E. H. G. |last4=Hoebe |first4=C. J. P. A. |s2cid=30446684 |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00557469/file/PEER_stage2_10.1136%252Fsti.2009.041954.pdf }}</ref> However, this study has been criticized as not being representative of swinger populations as a whole: its data was formulated solely on patients receiving treatment at an STI clinic. In addition, according to the conclusions of the report, the STI rates of swingers were in fact nearly identical to those of non-swinging straight couples, and concluded that the safest demographic for STI infection were female prostitutes. According to the Dutch study, "the combined rates of [[chlamydia]] and [[gonorrhea]] were just over 10% among straight people, 14% among gay men, just under 5% in female prostitutes, and 10.4% among swingers."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sex-diseases-swingers-idUSTRE65M6NX20100623 |work=Reuters |title=Disease risk higher for swingers than prostitutes |date=2010-06-23}}</ref>

=== Pregnancy ===
{{unsourced section|date=June 2023}}
While unwanted pregnancy is a risk with heterosexual vaginal sex in general, the possibility of impregnation by someone other than the committed-to partner adds a layer of concern, and may require prior discussion between the involved parties to establish consent about handling such a scenario.

==In North American society==
According to [[Terry Gould]]'s ''The Lifestyle: A look at the erotic rites of swingers'',<ref>Terry Gould, ''The Lifestyle: a look at the erotic rites of swingers''. Vintage Canada, November 23, 1999 {{ISBN|1-55209-482-0}}</ref> swinging began among American [[United States Army Air Forces|Air Force]] pilots and their wives during [[World War II]] before pilots left for overseas duty. The mortality rate of pilots was so high, as Gould reports, that a close bond arose between pilot families that implied that pilot husbands would care for all the wives as their own&nbsp;– emotionally and sexually&nbsp;– if the husbands were lost.<ref>[http://www.homerf.org History of Wife Swapping], homerf.org</ref> The realities of the demographics and basing of US Army Air Force (USAAF) pilots and crew suggest that this arrangement did not evolve during WWII, instead evolving later.<ref>{{cite web |title='Bloody Hundredth' B-17 Pilot Shares WWII Experiences |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/3022302/bloody-hundredth-b-17-pilot-shares-wwii-experiences/ |website=U.S. Department of Defense |access-date=10 October 2022}}</ref> US military personnel in WWII were not accompanied by their families (and many, especially in the USAAF, were single) – the giant military bases where families live while accompanying a deployed soldier, sailor, aviator, or Marine are mostly [[Cold War]] creations.<ref>{{cite web |title=- ISSUES AFFECTING FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN, AND MARINES |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-108shrg96602/html/CHRG-108shrg96602.htm |website=www.govinfo.gov |access-date=10 October 2022}}</ref> By the time the [[Korean War]] ended, swinging had spread from the military to the [[suburb]]s. This phenomenon was usually referred to as wife-swapping.<ref>[http://www.libchrist.com/swing/began.html The History and Definitions of Swinging which is Couples Only], Liberated Christians, Inc.</ref>

Later in the 1960s at the height of the ''[[Free love|Free Love]]'' movement, the activities associated with swinging became more widespread in a variety of social classes and age levels.<ref name="Stonesex">{{harvnb|Stone|1994|loc=[http://www.hipplanet.com/books/atoz/sex.htm "Sex, Love and Hippies"]}}.</ref> In the 1970s, sometimes referred to as "The Swinging '70s",<ref>{{cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Gary |title=The swinging '70s: retreating to Plato's |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-mar-29-ca-swing29-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=17 October 2022 |date=29 March 2009}}</ref> swinging activities became more prevalent, but were still considered "alternative" or "fringe" because of their association with non-mainstream groups such as [[Intentional community|communes]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Sheff |first=Elisabeth |title=Gender, Family, and Sexuality: Exploring Polyamorous Community |year=2005 |publisher=University of Colorado |pages=648}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=June 2019}}

In 2002, swingers' rights were added to the mission of the [American] [[National Coalition for Sexual Freedom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncsfreedom.org/who-we-are/about-ncsf/ncsf-mission-statement|title=NCSFreedom - NCSF Mission Statement|first=Deb|last=Cinkus|date=23 July 2021|access-date=29 April 2020|archive-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222084129/http://www.ncsfreedom.org/who-we-are/about-ncsf/ncsf-mission-statement|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ncsfreedom.org/who-we-are/the-history-of-the-ncsf/|title = History of NCSF| date=6 August 2019 }}</ref>

A common myth claims that a "key party" is a form of swinger party, in which male partners place their car or house keys into a common bowl or bag on arriving, and at the end of the evening the female partners randomly select a set of keys from the bowl and are obligated to leave and have sex with its owner.<ref>{{cite book| last = Bell | first = Robert | title = Social Deviance: A Substantive Analysis | publisher = Dorsey Press | year = 1971 | location = University of Michigan | isbn = 978-0-256-01663-5 | page = 74 }}</ref> However, numerous researchers have tried unsuccessfully to confirm a first-hand account of such a party, suggesting that they are nothing more than an [[Urban legends and myths|urban legend]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kukura |first=Joe |date=2018-03-15 |title=Did Key Parties Ever Really Happen? |url=https://www.sfweekly.com/archives/did-key-parties-ever-really-happen/article_7cdda389-9c58-59d7-b46b-92f5cc51da93.html |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=SFWeekly |language=en}}</ref>

According to economic studies on swinging,<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = D'Orlando | first1 = Fabio | year = 2010 | title = Swinger Economics | journal = The Journal of Socio-Economics | volume = 39 | issue = 2| pages = 303–304 | doi=10.1016/j.socec.2009.12.008}}</ref> the information and communications technology revolution, together with improvements in medicine, has been effective in reducing some of the costs of swinging and hence in increasing the number of swingers.

== Swinger party/gathering ==
A swinger party or partner-swapping party is a gathering at which individuals or couples in a [[committed relationship]] can engage in [[Human sexual activity|sexual activities]] with others as a [[recreational sex|recreational]] or social activity.<ref name="case_for_swingers" />

Swinger parties may involve various group sex activities. Partners can engage in [[sexual intercourse|penetrative sex]], known as "full swap", or choose to "soft swap" in which they engage only in [[non-penetrative sex]]. New swinging couples often choose a soft swap before they are comfortable with a full swap, although many couples stay soft swap for personal reasons.<ref name="What Is a Swinger?">{{cite web |author=Wojick, Helen |date=Sep 2011 |title=What is a Swinger? |url=http://swingersocial.com/swinger-blog/?page_id=13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207203034/http://swingersocial.com/swinger-blog/?page_id=13 |archive-date=February 7, 2012 |access-date=April 15, 2012 |publisher=The Swinger Blog}}</ref>

=== Soft swinging ===
"Soft swinging" refers to couple engaging in sexual activities with only each other while other couples perform sex acts in the immediate vicinity.<ref>{{cite web |title=SWINGERS DEFINITIONS - Swinger words that begin with a S |url=http://www.swingersocial.com/lifestyle-sex-defintions/s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217062138/http://www.swingersocial.com/lifestyle-sex-defintions/s |archive-date=17 December 2012 |access-date=16 September 2016}}</ref> Technically this is a form of [[sexual exhibitionism]] rather than "group sex" per se.

== See also ==
{{div col}}
* [[Yes no maybe list]]
* [[Candaulism]]
* [[Concubinage]]
* [[Contact magazine]]
* [[Cuckoldry as a fetish]]
* [[Cuckqueanry as a fetish]]
* [[Gang bang]]
* [[Group marriage]]
* [[Group sex]]
* [[Hedonism]]
* [[Human sexuality]]
* [[Libertine]]
* [[Meet market]]
* [[Netorare|(NTR) Netorare / Netorase / Netori]]
* [[Open marriage]]
* [[Polyamory]]
* [[Polyfidelity]]
* [[Promiscuity]]
* [[Unicorn hunting]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|33em}}

{{sex|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Swinging (sexual practice)| ]]
[[Category:Group sex]]
[[Category:Sexual fidelity]]
[[Category:Casual sex]]
[[Category:Sexuality and gender identity-based cultures]]