Cultural Immersion: Mini Assignment C

Jasmine Barnes
SW 3000, Alpharetta
Georgia State University

Who are Swingers?

Swinging is a lifestyle in which both singles and couples in committed relationships agree to
engage in sexual activities with others as a recreational or social activity. It is often called
partner swapping and people can participate in swinging in a variety of different contexts. It
can take place spontaneously, at a formal social gathering with friends to a planned or regular
gathering with like-minded couples at a swingers club. The origin of swinging is debatable, but
many believe it arose from the upsurge in sexual activity during the sexual revolution of the
1960s. The sexual revolution was made possible by the invention of the contraceptive pill and
the prevalence of safer sex practices during the same period.
People swing for an array of different reasons. Some partners participate in swinging to add
variety into their conventional sex lives, while others indulge because of curiosity. Some
swingers engage in such activities as a means of satisfying their heightened sexual desires.
According to Marriage: The Habituation Effect, sexual habituation leads to changes in
interaction with partners. Once couples reach that seven year itch into marriage, it takes
increased stimulation to produce the sexual excitation previously obtained by a glance or a
simple touch. Swinging allows couples to live out their fantasies as a couple without secrecy and
deceit. Couples who find a way to reconnect physically and not emotionally are more likely to
enjoy the swinging lifestyle and the social interaction with others (Serina, A. T., Hall, M.,
Ciambrone, D., & Phua, V. C. (2013).)

Level of Exposure
Jasmines former co-worker named Jess disclosed to her that she engages in swinging with her
long-time boyfriend Bill. Jasmine was utterly shocked by this confession from her co-worker.
Jasmine always thought swingers were middle-aged, unattractive couples who were bored with
their relationships so they choose to be swingers. On the other hand, Jess was an attractive young
woman in her early twenties and her boyfriend Bill was in his early thirties. Jess expressed to her
that she and her boyfriend participate in swinging because its simply fun. Jess has been with
her boyfriend for many years and stated that when sex becomes routine it is very boring and can
put a strain on your relationship. She believes keeping your sex life exciting and fresh is vital for
a long-lasting and satisfying relationship.
There are two different terms associated with swinging. Soft swinging usually means having
sex with your partner, but in the same room as another couple, or having sexual contact with
another couple within clearly-defined limits. These limits may include only allowing massaging,
kissing, and touching or may extend up to oral sex and manual masturbation. Basically it can be
anything excluding penetration. There is also hard swinging which includes everything and
intercourse is fair game.
Swinging couples communicate to their partners what they are comfortable with and what they
are uncomfortable with. For instance, Jess and her boyfriend engage in hard swapping but they
have to all be in the same room when the magic is happening. Jess has never been an overly

jealous person and her boyfriend Bills feelings are mutual. She states that swinging is not going
to work for every couple but it has positively affected her relationship and she feels a close
intimate bond to her partner because of it.
Portrayals in the Media
Swingers are not really portrayed in the media. Swinging is viewed as sexual deviancy and
although many people participate in swinging they do not disclose their lifestyle to others in fear
of being judged. There are dozens of websites that advertise clubs, cruises, and other events for
swingers to meet and interact with one another.
Forms of Oppression
Most swingers keep their lifestyles discrete so they do not become victim to forms of oppression.
As stated earlier, swinging is viewed as sexually deviant behavior because it does not follow the
social norms of society about marriage. Society praises monogamous heterosexual relationships
and swinging is an advert threat to this societal norm because it encourages non-monogamy and
promiscuity.
Continued Cultural Work
Jasmine will continuously strive to learn more about swingers so she can better understand
potential clients from this community. Jasmine wants to educate people on alternative lifestyles
and help people understand they are not deviant or perverted but simply just a different lifestyle
from what is considered the norm.

Cultural Immersion: Mini Assignment C

Jasmine Barnes
SW 3000, Alpharetta
Georgia State University

What is Swinging?

Level of Exposure
Portrayals in the Media
Forms of Oppression
Continued Cultural Work