Swinging is an alternative that is emerging within the traditional structure of marriage. Except for their participation in co marital sex, most swingers are living in a traditional nuclear family.
One advantage for many people involved in swinging is that except for sexual behaviour, little change is required in major values related to the traditional family form.
Swinging requires changing basic values related to monogamous sexual behaviour or admitting values that are different, at least from what individuals have paid lip service to in the past.
Families who swing find that except for sex related areas, it does not require substantial changes in behavioural and functional roles. There is some evidence, however, that such sexual activities sometimes require changes in how couples handle jealousy, power, and so forth in the marriage.
Swinging marriages probably represent the least revolutionary of the emerging alternative
lifestyles examined in this book. Generally, swingers challenge traditional beliefs only in the area of sexual monogamy.
Strong relationships outside the pair bond are still, for the most part, regarded as threats rather than potentials for personal growth.
Generally, contemporary swingers view sex as a recreation, which is relatively consistent with a consumer-oriented society, although there is development of personal growth and change through swinging.
Swinging is a preservative rather than a catalyst for change in the basic structure of the family in our society.
Swinging is a bridge between old and new values for persons who need old values to feel comfortable in our changing society. Swinging only violates the sexual exclusivity value and not other basic values revolving around the traditional nuclear family.
Conclude that rules on sex, paternity, and social relationships among swingers make it an adjunct to marriage rather than strictly an alternative. From their point of view, then, swinging supports rather than disrupts monogamous marriage as it currently exists in our society.
