Skip to main content icon/video/no-internet
icon backReturn to Entries

Swinging

Swinging, or extradyadic sex, refers to a practice whereby committed partners engage in consensual sexual activities with other committed couples. The most common motivations for swinging include sexual variety and fantasy fulfillment. Swinging is contrasted with infidelity because it does not involve partner betrayal. In other words, partners mutually participate in sexual activities without dishonesty or secrecy. Compared with infidelity, swinging has more positive outcomes such as enhanced relational, sexual, and life satisfaction. Infidelity, by contrast, is associated with negative outcomes such as depression, anger, partner violence, relationship dissolution, and homicide. Although jealousy is associated with both swinging and infidelity, swingers are more likely to manage their jealousy and/or transfer it into positive sexual experiences. After describing the prevalence and characteristics of swinging, this entry discusses several theories that have been used to explain swinging and assess whether it is deviant.

Prevalence

Swinging has been enacted across historical periods but was not scientifically studied until the late 1960s. It is difficult to identify the current number of swingers in the U.S. population because of sampling bias (e.g., social stigma influencing reports), but estimates range from 2% to 15%, depending on the source. Researchers commonly report rates from 2% to 4%, whereas the North American Swing Club Association provides estimates closer to 15%. Swingers typically partake in extradyadic sex several times a year, and partners are most commonly located online and through swinger-specific clubs, vacation packages, and conventions. Swinging occurs in regions across the world and has been examined by researchers in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia.

Characteristics of Swingers

On average, swingers tend to be middle aged (average age = 40 years), White, college educated, middle or upper class, and politically conservative (i.e., Republican). Apart from their political views, swingers hold liberal attitudes regarding sex, abortion, gender roles, and sexual orientation. A large percentage of swinging women are bisexual, whereas the majority of swinging men are heterosexual. In terms of psychological characteristics and emotional stability, swingers do not differ from the nonswinging population.

Theoretical Perspectives on Swinging

A variety of theories have been used to explain swinging. Here, three theories are presented with different foci: symbolic interaction, evolutionary psychology, and social exchange. Much research on mate selection and relationship patterns has been guided by these theories. Symbolic interaction is macro and cultural in its focus, assuming that individuals develop meanings and identities through socialization. Evolutionary psychology is more focused at the individual level and assumes that people are born with genetic predispositions that affect their beliefs and practices. Finally, social exchange is focused in between these perspectives at the dyadic level and assumes that individuals seek to maximize rewards and minimize costs in their relationships.

Symbolic Interaction

One of the best theories for investigating how cultural meanings influence social behavior is symbolic interaction. According to this theory, individuals develop meanings about themselves and relationships through socialization. The theory assumes that a person's self-concept, including his or her values and beliefs, guides behavior. However, human actions are often constrained by social norms, and in general, individuals choose behaviors that correspond with the values and norms of their culture. Finally, individuals do not passively respond to their environment. Instead, they interact with people on a daily basis and influence social settings through the subjective meanings they assign to their interactions.

...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles

Read next

More like this

Sage Recommends

We found other relevant content for you on other Sage platforms.

close

Have you created a personal profile? Login or create a profile so that you can save clips, playlists and searches

close
close
close Signed In to profile You are signed in as:
close
Logged in Institution Institution