Swinging: extramarital sexuality in Thai society

Abstract

Swinging is male dominated, and this androcentric behaviour requires a great deal of thought and discussion between the couples before making their decision to select and join another couple in swinging activities. Swinging rules and regulations are established and strictly practiced by these members. The patterns of swinging can be divided into two types: touching without intercourse, and complete sexual interaction. The reasons for swinging are determined by the husband’s domination, sexual experiences, loneliness, childlessness, perspectives on equal rights and experience using internet communication. Swinging is a continuous learning process and can be divided into five stages: (1) revelation (2) consideration and selection (3) action (4) life-management and (5) behavioural reorientation. An emic point of view focuses on how the participants in social activities create a conceptual structure to give meaning to their activities. In this study, the emic view was used to study the advantages and the disadvantages of swinging. This approach was also used to examine the decision-making process by which a couple decides to become involved in swinging as well as their planned and considered decision cease swinging.