Paper short abstract:

This paper discusses how swinging challenges (or not) the heterosexual-monogamous relationship model and gender relations in Western societies. The analysis is based on ethnography realized in a swinging club in Lisbon area, interviews with swinger couples and anthropological theoretical review.

Paper long abstract:

Swinging can be defined as a practice in which heterosexual couples have sexual intercourse with other couples or singles in the company and with the consent of the partner. Although swingers belong to the normative group of heterosexuality, they are usually seen as deviant as they don't fit sexual and marital mono-normativity of Western societies. One of its fundamental characteristics is the segregation between sex and love. Thus, swingers consider themselves emotionally monogamous and sexually non-monogamous.

From this perspective, swinging can be seen as a paradoxical and antagonistic way of relationship in which men and women willing to adopt a more hedonistic lifestyle are in conflict with traditional principles acquired throughout life regarding family, relationship, sex, love, and morality.

Although binary gender structure is prevalent in swinging and often acts as a prohibitive factor for certain disruptions, sometimes this boundary is broken enabling women and men to adopt identities, practices and behaviors culturally related to "the other". According to my research, such disruptions occur especially for women, who have the possibility to experience sexual and gender identities more freely and fluidly than men, who are still attached to the precepts of hegemonic masculinity.

This paper discusses how swinging challenges (or not) the heterosexual-monogamous relationship model of Western societies and how gender and sexual identities are reproduced, resignified or denied in this lifestyle. The analysis is based on ethnography realized in a swinging club in Lisbon area, interviews with swinger couples and anthropological theoretical review.