Background of Swinging

In previous cultures, it has not been uncommon to find societies which have advocated having a lifestyle with multiple sexual partners. Either royalty and nobility in many cultures had consorts and concubines. You can find historical acccounts of these activities. Ancient Rome has been notable for its enthusiastic acceptance of orgies and alternative sexual practices, you may say they where the 1st society to practice acceptable swinging activities. Swingers today may embrace these ideals, however the actual practice of swinging in the 20th century began quite differently.

A book written by Terry Gould's : The Lifestyle: A Look at the Erotic Rites of Swingers. Swinging began among U.S. Air Force pilots and their spouses during World War II. In this small community, the mortality rate among pilots was considerably high. Terry Gould reports a close bond between pilots arose. The implication is that the husbands would protect and care for all the wives as their own, both emotionally and sexually, if the husbands were away or lost. These historic accounts are debatable. Since it would have been highly unlikely for servicemen's wives to accompany them on any foreign tours of duty.

Other sources indicate that American Air Force pilots stationed in the Southern California desert were the original participants in post-modern swinging. Though the exact originations are usually agreed upon. The assumption is that swinging began in the American military communities in the 1950s. By the end of the Korean war, these groups  spread from the bases to the suburbs. Media outlets picked up on them in 1957 and promptly dubbed the phenomenon 'wife-swapping.'

Wife Swapping is a term that continues to be used by the tabloid press even today but swingers have long since decided that it is both an inaccurate and derogatory description of their activities which denigrates women to the status of a possession that can be swapped at the husband’s will.

In Berkeley, California the first organization, 'Sexual Freedom League', for swingers was created in 1960.

It grew into an organization called the North American Swing Club Association (NASCA) (now NASCA International). It was formed to encourage accurate information about swinging lifestyles across America.
A number of swinging organization can be found in almost every countries, with the greatest numbers of registered participants in the United States.

Other countries which have organizations are Canada, sections of Europe such as England, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Japan. In addition a number of clubs are growing in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Swinging clubs don’t just offer parties and special events for swingers but also offers group discussions, workshops, and travel information for their members.

There has been subjective scientific research into the swinging lifestyle. A most recent study, based on an Internet questionnaire addressed to visitors of lifestyle-related sites, discovered swingers are far more happier in their relationships than the rest of the population. Over 60% Of swingers said that swinging improved their relationship with their spouses and only 1.7% said it made their relationship less happier.

Half of the respondants rated their relationships very happy prior to becoming swingers. And maintained it had become even happier. Over 90% Of those with less satisfying relationships said swinging improved it. 70% of swingers claimed no issue with controlling jealousy, about a quarter admitted 'I have difficulties controlling jealousy when swinging' to be somewhat true but less than 6% said this was 'Yes, Very Much' true. Swingers also rate themselves happier (59% against 32% very happy) and their lives much more exciting (76% against 54% exciting) than does the rest of the population, by surprisingly large margins. Little differences existed between the responses of men and women, although more males (70%) than females completed the survey.

While the syudy is enlightening. It is of certain limited accuracy of the swinging population as a whole; because of its self-selected sampling technique.  It is more than likely that swinging couples who had stronger relationships were  motivated to complete the questionnaire. As opposed to others.

However, the pressures that swinging may place on a marriage means that only those with higher than average levels of commitment to their partners are able to remain strong and married while in a Swinging lifestyle.

Couples with jealousy or strife issues caused by swinging won't stay in the swinging lifestyle for too long. So, these couples were less likely to respond. ABC News reporter John Stossel produced an investigative report into the swinging lifestyle. Stossel reported over 4 million people are active swingers, according to his estimates by the Kinsey Institute and other pertinant researchers. He also included Terry Gould's research. Gould concluded that 'couples swing in order to avouid cheating on their partners.' Stossel asked swinging couples whether they worry their spouse will 'find they like someone else better', one male interviewee responded, 'people in the swinging community swing for a reason.

A woman interviewee asserted, they don't swing to go out and find a new wife;' while It makes women more confident -- they are the ones in charge.' Stossel then interviewed 12 marriage counselors regarding lifestyle. According to Stossel, 'not a single one of them said don't do it'. Though some indicated 'getting sexual thrills outside of marriage can threaten a marriage'. The swingers whom Stossel interviewed claimed that 'their marriages are stronger because they don't have affairs and they don't lie to one another.