The History of  Swinging.
According to popular Media, Swinging began in the 1950’s in the Military in either Germany or Korea. Because of the high fatality rate in this group the “wife swapping” began. Rumour however has it that this practice may have been common on air force bases even before World War 2. This took the form of "key clubs" where husbands reportedly tossed their house keys into a pile in the centre of the room where they were drawn at random by the wives. The owner of a selected key was the sexual partner for the evening.

As wife swapping became more fashionable the term wife swapping was changed to swinging. The current trend is to use the word Lifestyle. Regardless of its name this alternative lifestyle seems to be increasing in popularity among mainstream, middle-aged married couples throughout the world.

Swinging has probably gone on forever. Some cultures like the Inuit tribe of Alaska have no qualms about sharing their partners. History commonly shows us that wealthy men had many wives, concubines and slaves for their sexual pleasure. Female rulers also kept male slaves and consorts to satisfy their sexual needs and desires. What was considered new and weird in our present unenlightened sexually- controlled society has been considered normal and acceptable conduct by even early Christians as well as many other religions, cultures and civilizations in history.

Africa, Iran, France, Egypt, China and Japan were among many countries that have lived a "swinging" lifestyle for centuries. In France, during Queen Marie's time; wild orgies were the norm, until she lost her head for being a taker instead of a giver!

What exactly is swinging?

Swinging is different from the open marriage concept where sexual liaisons by spouses are tolerated. Swinging is not “Polyamory" where one is in love with many people at the same time or “Polygamy” which is Marriage to multiple partners.

Rather swinging is sexual activity, like any other pleasurable social activity, that can be experienced as a couple. One is still totally committed to ones partner. It usually occurs in the presence of one's spouse and requires the consent of both to the experience.

Although swingers can become close to other swinging couples, essentially there is no emotional involvement with the sexual partners. Most swingers will claim that swinging enhances the relationship of the swinging couple both sexually and emotionally. It removes the secrecy and dishonesty that occur with our inherent desire for sexual variety. Couples are able to explore their fantasies together without deceit or guilt. A new level of trust and openness develops without the destructive baggage of jealousy.

Swinging attempts to separate the emotional from the sexual, is contrary to the western model of romantic love which assumes that sexual and emotional monogamy are mutually reinforcing and inseparable. But in an era where 37% of husbands and 29% of wives admit to having had at least one extra-marital affair, where divorce rates for first marriages are approaching 60% and where family instability and parental neglect of children has become a major concern anything that strengthens the marital bond should be worth some consideration. Swingers seem to have found a way to stabilize relationships, prolong family ties, and enrich their lives.

Swinging: The Worldwide phenomenon

During the 1950s a number of Contact magazines catering to swingers appeared in Europe and North America which offered personal ads with revealing photos placed by swinging couples. Clubs were formed and these started as informal meetings at members’ houses and entry was generally granted by association with other couples. Cocktail lounges and bars soon took the opportunity for the swinging market and opened up to provide more open access for certain clientele. Topley II in Los Angeles and the Swing in nearby Encino, California gained national publicity and notoriety. The Sexual Freedom League in Berkeley, California in the 1960's may have been the first to be open and public about swing parties and regularly held parties to introduce people to the lifestyle.

Clubs and lounges soon opened in New York City, followed by other major American cities and while private homes or motel rooms were usually reserved for actual swinging, the lounges gave couples a perfect chance to meet others and chat in a non-pressure and appropriate scenario. The activities of most swing clubs were and still are generally dances. Swinging was a private matter arranged among the member couples attending the dances and was engaged in elsewhere.

Swinging in California came along by different means. By the spring of 1972 there were eighteen party houses and social swing clubs in Southern California, principally Hollywood, Los Angeles and Orange County. While some had been in operation for years, all took the opportunity to allow its members to actively engage in swinging while on premises. No need to go elsewhere. Plato's Retreat in New York City, and the publicity it garnered, was the catalyst for "on-premise" swinging on the East Coast. Swinging in the east was primarily "off-premise" until Plato's.

Though the swing clubs and magazines available helped swinging to grow, the real backbone of swinging has always been the individual men and women who adopted swinging as part of their lifestyle. While we do not know exact figures, we do know that swinging is growing. . A published report by two well-known sociologists predicted that eventually 15% to 25% of all American married couples would adopt swinging as part of their lifestyle during some period of their marriage. Today, there are plenty of people around the world participating in this lifestyle and actively engaging in organised swinging privately and through clubs and websites.

Computers and the Internet have become the impetus for this. Its easy accessibility, and the ability to remain anonymous, while still revealing significant and intimate details, have allowed it to reach the masses. More people begin swinging now per year than there were in the first 30 years of the swing lifestyle. A number of tourist groups specifically catering to the lifestyle have been spawned. The Hedonism hotels in Jamaica and the Desire Resorts in Mexico have become retreats for takeovers by swinging groups looking for a sexually charged holiday. So where to from here? 50 years ago, people could smoke in a club and had to sneak outside for a drink. Today we are permitted to drink inside clubs and go outside to smoke. 50 years ago, same sex marriages were against the law. Many countries today, including Canada and New Zealand permit same sex marriages. 50 years ago, swinging was a subculture and practiced in private. Today, the subject of swinging can be found in all major newspapers, television, radio, and internet and practiced in many homes, clubs, vacation spots, group tours, conventions and much more. The swinging lifestyle will continue to grow and expand its activities to larger clubs, expanded vacation spots, larger conventions and a greater acceptance that swinging couples enjoy their sexuality and have the openness to share it with others.