Group sex among the mid‐Americans∗

Abstract

This paper is one in a series of special presentations for the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex, dealing with group sex. Our data were collected from a selected sample of midwestern and southwestern white, suburban and exurban couples and single individuals engaged in what they call swinging. We contacted and interviewed approximately 350 informants during the two years of our research, using data from 280 interviewees who fit into the above category. These informants define the term swinging as having sexual relations (as a couple) with at least one other individual. Since more than a simple dyadic relationship exists whether the sexual activity involved takes place together or apart, the fact remains that more than two people had to enter into an agreement to have sexual experiences together. We therefore conclude that this must be considered group sex. We were interested in the growth and development of the broad spectrum of activities associated with organized swinging, but we wished to concentrate specifically upon those individuals belonging to some form of sodality or swinging organization. We attempted to ascertain to what extent American cultural patterns would be transferred to this relatively new phenomenon. Since white middle class, non inner city people constitute the majority in the United States, and we assume they are the major actors within the cultural system, our sample is restricted to these informants. Interviews lasted anywhere from two to eight hours. We eliminated individuals from the inner city, Blacks and Latin couples to keep our sample restricted. We did not misrepresent ourselves, but told them that we were anthropologists interested in knowing * In some academic circles sex research is not considered pertinent. I therefore would very much like to thank the President of Northern Illinois University Rhoten Smith, my anthropological colleagues, Drs. Pierre Gravel and James Gunnerson, and colleagues from other departments including sociology for their cooperation, assistance, and particularly their genuine moral support.