The Rise of the Swinging Lifestyle

The 1950s to 1960s: The Birth of a Lifestyle

The post-World War II era marked a significant shift in societal attitudes towards relationships and sexuality. This transformation laid the groundwork for the emergence of swinging as a lifestyle.

1. Post-War Baby Boom: The end of World War II saw our boy’s return from the front and they wasted no time making up for lost time with the ladies. All that love-making led to a significant population increase in the United States. Between 1950 and 1960, just under four million babies were born each year. The making of millions of “Baby Boomers” ushered in a new era of family dynamics and changing expectations around marriage and monogamy.
2. Cultural Shift: The 1950s and 1960s were characterized by a rebellion against conservative values, “Fight the Man!”, particularly among young people. The Beat Generation or Beatnik literary works, such as Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, began to challenge traditional norms around sexuality, encouraging exploration of “Free Love” and alternative lifestyles.
3. Prominent Marriage Trends: As marriages became more common, many couples began to question the constraints of monogamy. This period saw a rise in quite discussions about open marriages with others and alternative relationships in various social circles.
4. Influence of Jazz Music: Jazz clubs and its music scene served as settings for sexual liberation. The free spirit associated with jazz culture promoted and supported a lifestyle of sexual exploration between couples.
5. The Power of Literature: Books like The Sexual Revolution by Shulamith Firestone started to explore the idea of free love and questioned the traditional institutions of marriage and monogamy.
6. Psychological Perspectives: Psychologists like Wilhelm Reich, who wrote about sexual liberation and controversial topics on the human orgasm, encouraging non-traditional views on sexuality. His work inspired many to view sexual expression leading many to say that Reich’s teachings may have helped bring in the free love movement as a healthy aspect of human sex lives.
7. Women’s Liberation Movement: The groundwork for the later feminist movements of the 1960s began in the 1950s. Women started to voice that they wanted out of traditional roles and began advocating for sexual liberation, which included a more open approach to relationships.
8. Group Sex: The idea of group sex and Roman orgies began to spring up, with couples hosting private parties where sex among and with others be became chic. This carousel of sex was often informally termed as “swinging” and became more popular within certain social circles.
9. Media Representation: Films like The Seven Year Itch (1955), starring Marilyn Monroe, hinted at the allure of extramarital encounters, it was a bold shift in societal attitudes towards romantic and sexual relationships.
10. Contraception Availability: The breakthrough and subsequent availability of the birth control pill or simply, “The Pill”, in the early 1960s was pivotal. It allowed women and couples more freedom to fuck and explore their sexuality without the immediate consequences of unintended pregnancies, paving the way for more adventurous lifestyles, including swinging.

These cultural and societal changes in the 1950s to 1960s created an environment ripe for the acceptance and practice of swinging. This era’s revolutionary attitudes toward sex and relationships laid the foundation for an evolving understanding of non-monogamy, which would only continue to grow through the ’70’s.

The Swinging 1970s: Mainstream Acceptance

The 1970s marked a seminal decade for swinging. Societal norms around sexuality and relationships began to shift dramatically and the emergence of swinging as not just a fringe subculture but as a more widely accepted lifestyle.

1. The Sexual Revolution: Building upon the groundwork established in the preceding decade, the sexual revolution reached its peak in the 1970s. Notable figures such as Betty Friedan and Helen Gurley Brown championed women’s sexual freedom, encouraging them to accept the idea that they deserved to enjoy sexual pleasure outside the boundaries of conventional monogamous unions.
2. Key Literature: The publication of The Joy of Sex by Alex Comfort in 1972 provided explicit information on sexual practices and experimentation, including tips on swinging. The book became a bestseller, bringing sexual exploration into the mainstream conversation.
3. Rise of Swinger Clubs: The first swinger clubs, such as The Toolbox Club in New York and others across the country, began to emerge. These clubs provided safe spaces for couples to explore swinging with like-minded individuals, leading to increased participation and visibility.
4. Cultural Icons: Celebrities and public figures began to openly discuss non-monogamous relationships, contributing to the normalization of swinging. For example, actor Warren Beatty and actress Julie Christie were known for their open relationships, which garnered significant media attention.
5. Media Representation: Popular films of the decade, such as Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) and Last Tango in Paris (1972), depicted alternative relationships and swinging themes, attracting mainstream audiences and sparking conversations about non-traditional lifestyles.
6. Swinging Organizations: The establishment of organizations like the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) in the late 1970s helped to formalize the swinging community, advocating for sexual rights and providing resources for those interested in consensual non-monogamy.
7. Television Influence: The rise of adult-themed topics pm talk shows that featured discussions about open relationships and swinging, contributed to the popularity of the lifestyle. Shows like The Merv Griffin Show, The Joe Franklin Show and Donahue often tackled controversial subjects, including the dynamics of open relationships and non-traditional family structures, sparking discussion and debate among guests and the audience.
8. Experiential Learning: The non-monogamous lifestyle became a topic of discussion at colleges and universities, with workshops and seminars on swinging and ethical non-monogamy emerging as areas of interest for students exploring new relationship dynamics.
9. Birth of Swinger Parties: The 1970s saw the creation of more organized events and parties specifically for swingers. The “key party” concept, where men would place their keys in a bowl for partners to swap, became a popular way to facilitate encounters in a playful setting.
10. Impact of the Pill and STD Awareness: The availability of the birth control pill and advancements in understanding sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) allowed couples to engage in swinging with a sense of safety and responsibility. With better access to information and protection, many felt empowered to explore their sexuality freely.

These factors collectively contributed to the solidification of swinging as a lifestyle choice in the 1970s. As cultural, literary, and social movements intertwining with media representation fostered an open dialogue around sexuality, swinging gained acceptance, paving the way for the continuing evolution of non-monogamous relationships in the decades to come.

The Swinging 1980s: The Decade of Decadence gets Swinging

The 1980s saw the continued growth and acceptance of swinging as a lifestyle choice, with some grim overtures that’s saw swinging rein in its devil may care attitudes.

1. The AIDS Crisis: While the AIDS crisis was a tragic event, it also led to increased awareness about sexual health and safety. This heightened awareness encouraged couples to engage in swinging more responsibly, using protection and getting tested regularly.
2. The Rise of Personal Computers: The advent of personal computers allowed for the creation of online communities dedicated to swinging. These digital spaces provided a platform for couples to connect with others interested in non-monogamy, leading to increased visibility and participation in the lifestyle.
3. Cultural Shifts: The 1980s saw a shift towards individualism and self-expression, which further fueled the acceptance of alternative lifestyles like swinging. This cultural shift was reflected in popular media, with films like 9 1/2 Weeks (1986) exploring themes of sexual exploration and non-monogamy. Body Double (1984), directed by Brian De Palma, which features a protagonist who becomes involved in the swinging scene as part of his investigation into a mysterious murder.
4. Swinger Lifestyle Magazines: The proliferation of magazines dedicated to the swinger lifestyle, such as Lifestyles and Swinger’s Journal, provided resources for couples interested in exploring non-monogamy. These publications offered advice on how to navigate the lifestyle, as well as information on events and parties happening across the country.
5. Swinger Club Expansion: The number of swinger clubs continued to grow throughout the 1980s, with new establishments opening their doors in major cities around the world. These clubs provided safe spaces for couples to explore their sexuality with like-minded individuals, contributing to the normalization of swinging within society.
6. Celebrity Endorsements: High-profile celebrities continued to endorse non-monogamous relationships throughout the decade, further contributing to their acceptance within mainstream culture. For example, actor Richard Gere openly discussed his open marriage with Cindy Crawford during this time period.
7. The Conservative Backlash: It’s important to note that swinging often faced criticism from conservative critics who viewed non-monogamy as morally corrupt or destructive to traditional family values. But the vocal American right wing, who fought to squash swinging, only pushed it further into the public’s eye, arousing further curiosity about the lifestyle.
8. Sexual Revolution Continues: The sexual revolution that began in the 1960s continued into the 1980s, with ongoing discussions about women’s sexual liberation and gender roles within relationships contributing to increased acceptance of swinging as a lifestyle choice for many couples.
9. Educational Resources: As understanding around human sexuality grew during this time period, educational resources became more widely available for those interested in exploring non-monogamous relationships or learning more about swinging as a lifestyle choice.
10. Legal Challenges: While there were still legal challenges faced by those involved in swinging. One notable case was “People v. Reeves” (1985), in which a California court ruled that a man who had engaged in sexual activity with another couple could not be convicted of adultery, as the act was consensual and did not involve any harm to others. This decision marked a significant step towards greater legal recognition of alternative relationship structures, as it challenged the traditional definition of adultery and opened the door for further legal challenges to laws that discriminated against non-traditional relationships.

The Swinging 1990s: The Internet Launches a Lifestyle

1. Increased access to information: The rise of the internet and the availability of information on alternative lifestyles and swinging communities has made it easier for people to learn about and explore these options. According to a study by Pew Research Center, 84% of Americans use the internet, providing a vast platform for people to connect and share information about swinging.
2. Online dating and social networking sites: The advent of online dating sites like SwingerLifeStyle, SDC, and AdultFriendFinder has made it easier for people to find like-minded individuals interested in swinging. A survey by SwingerLifeStyle found that 75% of their members met their partners through their site.
3. Popular culture: The portrayal of swinging in popular culture, including movies, television shows, and books, has helped normalize the lifestyle and attract more participants. For example, the TV show “Swingtown” explored the swinging scene in the 1970s, while books like “The Ethical Slut” have advocated for open relationships and non-monogamy.
4. Changing social attitudes: As society becomes more accepting of alternative lifestyles and sexual practices, more people are willing to explore non-traditional relationships like swinging. A study by the Williams Institute at UCLA found that 4.5% of American adults have engaged in some form of consensual non-monogamy at some point in their lives.
5. Sexual health education: Increased awareness about sexual health and wellness has led more people to explore different aspects of their sexuality, including open relationships and swinging. According to a survey by Planned Parenthood, 86% of Americans believe that comprehensive sex education should be taught in schools.
6. Increased acceptance within the LGBTQ community: Swinging is becoming increasingly popular within the LGBTQ community as well, with many organizations dedicated to promoting safe and consensual non-monogamy among gay men and lesbians. A study by The Williams Institute found that 10% of gay men have engaged in some form of consensual non-monogamy at some point in their lives.
7. Adult-themed television programs: As mentioned earlier, talk shows during the 1970s began discussing open relationships and swinging more openly. This trend continued into the 1990s with shows like “The Jerry Springer Show” featuring discussions on alternative lifestyles (although often sensationalized).
8. Swinging clubs and events: The rise of swingers clubs across the country has provided a safe space for people interested in exploring non-monogamous relationships (source: International Swinger’s Association). These clubs offer a variety of events catered to different interests within the swinging community, from dance parties to themed nights (e.g., costume parties).
9. Self-help books on relationship dynamics: Books like “Open Marriage” by Nena O’Neill have helped normalize open relationships as a viable option for couples looking to spice up their sex lives or address issues within their relationship (source: Amazon bestsellers list). These books provide practical advice on how to navigate open relationships successfully while maintaining trust and communication between partners.
10. Social media platforms: Social media platforms like Facebook have created online communities where swingers can connect with each other without fear of judgment or stigma (source: Swinger Social Network). These platforms allow users to create profiles detailing their interests, preferences, and relationship statuses so they can find potential partners who share similar desires or fantasies (either locally or globally).

The Swinging 2000s to Present: Swingers Among Us