The swinger’s pendulum follows through a wide arc. At one apex are those who consider swinging the most advanced sign of maturity. At the other pole are conservatives who abhor swinging and label it bad, immoral, degrading, animalistic…you get the picture. In the middle, humanistic psychologists and psychiatrists picture swinging as the fulfillment of our unlived exploratory sex life. They say you "should" be able to engage in it comfortably, then take it or leave it.

Couples who have successfully made the swinging scene tend to have a firm primary relationship. The main hindrance to swinging stems from feelings of inferiority, possessiveness and sexual exclusivity. With the addition of swinging, a stable relationship (outside of sex remains that way and shaky sexual or non sexual problems are magnified.

Whatever your views, here is an introductory quiz that will compare your attitudes with those who have successfully embraced swinging. Choose a response that most closely represents your feelings or reaction:

1. Your partner suggests that the two of you join a swing club. You:

1. Are horrified.
2. Are excited with the proposal.
3. Wonder why you aren’t enough for your partner.
4. Are willing to talk about it.

2. Looking across the room at a swing party, you see your partner in an intimate embrace. You:

1. Feel a little left out and uncomfortable.
2. Are unconcerned, because that is why you are here.
3. Find someone to be involved with yourself
4. Are furious and leave.

3. You watch your partner go into a bedroom to swing. You probably would:

1. Be unconcerned and continue what you are doing.
2. Take it for a while then go get your partner.
3. Find someone to swing with and/or talk with.
4. Become furious and distressed and take the car.

4. You are swinging and your partner enters the room to swing. You probably would:

1. Go on with your swinging, unconcerned.
2. Freeze up and suffer until they finish and leave.
3. Continue to swing and enjoy the sights and sounds of your mate’s swinging.
4. Leave the room.

5. Another couple invites the two of you to swing with them in a foursome. You:

1. Are delighted.
2. Would like to see if your partner agrees.
3. Wouldn’t have anything to do with such a thing.
4. Would decline because of uneasiness about swinging in the same room with your partner.

6. You are in a bedroom swinging but don't enjoy your swinging partner's technique. You would:

1. Get up and leave the room.
2. Talk it over with our partner to improve mutual pleasure.
3. Endure the situation unhappily.
4. Try to shorten the experience as much as possible.

7. You are in a group sex scene and a member of your sex comes on to you sexually.

1. You are surprised but decide to see what happens.
2. You are turned off and leave the scene.
3. You are horrified and disgusted and say so.
4. It's not your thing and discreetly stop it.

8. You have often thought that you would like to swing. You are:

1. Afraid of venereal disease.
2. Afraid you'll find swinging so stimulating that you'll be dissatisfied with your partner and leave.
3. Afraid your partner will enjoy it more than you will.
4. Afraid to what your partner will think of you if you bring it up.

9. There's a wide range of age and ethnic groups in the swing club you are considering. You find this:

1. Stimulating
2. Of some concern and discomforting
3. Doesn't matter
4. A turn off and unacceptable

10. The swing club you are considering also offers social non sexual activities. This:

1. Increases your interest.
2. Is of slight interest.
3. Bothers you as you donut want to mix "fucking" with social activities.
4. Might lead to the so-called straights finding out about you and your swinging.

What was your score?   Scroll down to view results

TOTAL POINTS

10-15 points: You have no hang-ups to hamper swinging You will be an exciting addition to any swing group. Openness and adventure are two words underlined in your dictionary.

16-21 points: You are pretty healthy emotionally and will enjoy swinging. You are open to new things, which is the sign of a person who is on the way to peak experiences.

22-25 points: Swinging is a pretty threatening jump for you to take. You waver between wanting to and being afraid.

26-31 points: You are likely to encounter some difficulty if you try swinging, however, it is a horizon-expanding journey and could be beneficial to you if you are open for it.

32-35 points: Swinging would offer too many contradictions to your restricted moralistic behavior. You have often thought of swinging, but have quickly pushed it to the back of the bus.

36-40 points: Swinging is definitely not for you. Fantasies and clandestine affairs are more your thing.