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What exactly is
swinging? Unlike "open marriages" of the 1970's which promoted
non-possessive love and tolerance of infidelity in their spouses
(O'Neill and O'Neill, 1972), or "polyamory" (Wesp, 1992) - the
love of many people at once – 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 is usually done in the presence of one's
spouse and requires the consent of both to the experience.
Although swingers often become close friends with other swinging
couples, there are unspoken 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 supposedly achieved without the destructive
baggage of jealousy. (McGinley, 1995)
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