Swinger Research Statistics
Just how many swingers are there and what are they like?
Here are some facts and swinging demographics from the publishers of Kasidie Magazine, as well as the October, 2000 research study conducted by Dr. Curtis Bergstrand and Jennifer Blevins Williams, both of Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY. These were recently reevaluated and confirmed in a January 2009 study, conducted by Dr. F. Fernandes, Ph.D. from Barton College in Wilson NC which is in the final stages of publication (thus we used it only to confirm facts and do not cite any specific findings).
Terminology
1950’s “wife swapping” is considered a sexist, androcentric term that implies inequality and control. Swingers realize that, aside from any physical or psychological problems, women and men have equally strong sex drives. As such, swinger couples mutually agree to shed their inhibitions and allow each other to experience physical and psychological pleasures according to their unique personal needs. And, besides, it’s well accepted that it’s the women, not the men, who are in charge. Today it’s called, alternatively, “swinging”, “the swinging lifestyle”, or simply “the lifestyle”.
Martial Information:
Status: 89.4% are married or in a committed relationship
# Times Married: 1.5
Length of Marriage: 10.5 years
Years involved in swinging: 5
Happiness: 78.5% are “very happy” in their marriage, compared to 64.0% of the general population
Happiness Before/After Starting to Swing:
Before: Now:
Unhappy 90.4% happier
Somewhat Unhappy 81.1% happier
Somewhat Happy 69.6% happier
Very Happy 49.7% happier
Age:
Females – average age when started swinging: 31.4
Males – average age when started swinging: 35.2
Education: 14.1 years
Politics: distributed equally across all parties (Democrat 31.7%, Republican 27.7%, Independent 27.0%, Other 13.6%)
Religious: 72.1% have membership in a Church, Synagogue, Mosque, or Temple (compared to 61% of general population)
Life View: 75.9% say “life is exciting!” compared to 45.7% of the general population
Market Size:
It is estimated there are over 50 million people active in the swinging lifestyle. Adult Friend Finder, the oldest and largest swinger dating site on the internet, has over 27 million members and sees in excess of 20,000 new members each day. Kasidie.com, the largest social network for swingers, does not reveal statistics but confirms that these numbers are but a fraction of the global population of swingers
What exactly is swinging?
Swinging is non-monogamous sexual activity, treated much like any other social activity, that can be experienced as a couple. Emotional monogamy, or commitment to the love relationship with one’s marital partner, remains the primary focus. Swinging requires mutual partner consent and communication. Although swingers often become close friends with other swinging couples, there are rules restricting emotional involvement with non-spousal partners. While swinging involves having sex with people other than one’s spouse, its adherents claim that it enhances the relationship of the swinging couple both sexually and emotionally. By removing the secrecy and dishonesty inherent in one’s natural desires for sexual variety, the couple can explore their fantasies together without deceit or guilt. By removing the necessity for deceit from the relationship, a new level of trust and openness about all of one’s feelings is achieved without the destructive baggage of jealousy.
Interesting Factoid:
In societies that adopted a monogamous, pair-bonding approach, about 73% of both men and women surveyed admitted having had extramarital affairs (Schmitt, 2005). Despite this overwhelming evidence that humans are not naturally monogamous, most societies continue to expect their members to be monogamous.
