It is estimated that regular swingers make up less that 0.5% of British society. The figure is probably about the same for the U.S.A. and only slightly more in European counties like Holland and Germany, where swinging has always been much more socially acceptable.

The swingers we have known over many years of running swinger clubs has taught us that swingers come from every sector of society. This makes swinger parties very egalitarian affairs where anyone from manual worker to company executive turns up and plays with others who appeal much more because of sexual chemistry than anything to do with lifestyle or social background.

Swingers: Personality Traits There are some common factors that we have noticed in the personality or character traits of swingers. These characteristics which cause a person to swing are as follows:

Over disciplinarian childhood experiences: The most obvious one being, a sense of being liberated from an over restrictive society. Quite often, the swinger’s childhood influences were overly restrictive, particularly with regards to sexual matters. It therefore seems quite likely that the child grows up to be an adult who decides to rebel against those influences and compensates for all that they feel they were denied as children. In view of this, it is hardly surprising that the vast majority of swingers we have met express the fear of being found out, particularly by elderly parents, as the greatest concern they have about their lifestyle.

Sex as adventure: Swinging is often described as ‘Recreational Sex’ and it does seem that many swingers are motivated by the buzz or sense of adventure that this form of recreation provides. Instead of taking up sports with a high physical risk element, it is as if the swinger has chosen the sport of sex instead. The risk of being found out is actually part of the buzz. So whilst it is so often listed as the greatest fear, it can also be a turn-on of the sort provided by the fear of falling for a rock climber.

Increase libido and rejuvenate sexual relations: Other more obvious motives can easily be found in the typical swinger’s make up. Having a higher than average sex drive is the first motive that comes to mind. Although we have certainly come across people who claim to swing for the opposite reason. (i.e. To seek stimulation for a low sex drive).

Explore homosexuality tendencies: Other high ranking motives are voyeurism and bisexuality. Voyeurism is common amongst swingers and so is the need to explore or satisfy bisexual tendencies. The latter is openly expressed and very much encouraged amongst female swingers but swinger circles often discourage bisexuality amongst males. Consequently it is unusual to hear males openly discussing any bisexual tendencies they may have.

Swingers: After Effects and Reality

There has often been hue and cry on issues of emotional trauma and broken relations due to swinging. However, an umbrella organization called the North American Swing Club Association (NASCA) (now NASCA International) was formed to perform research to gather accurate information about swinging lifestyles all across America. Some subjective scientific research into swinging has been conducted in the USA since the late 1960s. The most recent study, based on an Internet questionnaire addressed to visitors of lifestyle-related sites surprisingly found swingers are happier in their relationships than normal couples.

The results of the research confirms:

60% of swingers confess that swinging improved their relationship and only 1.7% complained of sour relations.

50% of happy couples rated that swinging has improved their relationships for better, making them happier.

90% couples with less happy relationships said swinging improved them. Almost 70% of swingers claimed no problem with controlling jealousy.

Swingers rate themselves to be happier with exciting lives and claimed improved sexuality by large margins. There was no difference between the responses of men and women, although more males opt as swingers.