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I'd have to agree. Everything with swinging comes with some risk, so as always it comes down to risk assessment and what your tolerance level of that is. Nowhere near an expert an anything related to this, but I can't think of a much better way to transmit or catch a respiratory disease than sex. Take away the kissing (which would be a dealkiller for us right there), then think about the typical sexual encounter - enclosed space, man on top of woman, missionary, face to face, he's panting and breathing hard, she's panting and breathing hard, and this goes on for a while. Seems to me you almost couldn't come up with a better way of transmission if you tried. There's a huge IF there though, that only matters if one of them has it...which leads us right back to level of risk. I guess you could dream up ways you hoped would reduce to some degree the risk, like no oral, doggie style or reverse cowgirl only, both be masked, etc. But for us it would be like the no kissing thing, when you start taking pieces away, pretty soon the whole thing falls apart and it's just not worth the trouble anymore.

Life itself is a sexually transmitted, terminal condition.

Couples fall into three categories: casual, committed, and married. The first are just dating without any commitment. Whether they are non-monogamous together or while apart makes little difference. The committed couple are the most interesting one, they are exploring whether the relationship is turning serious, all the while having sex with others. I really admire them. The married couples in most cases see it as a joint undertaking, based on their years together. Less risky than those just starting to get serious.

I think of swinging as something of an umbrella term or catch all phrase, generally meaning some form of group sex, but not always. I notice enough married couples here don’t apply the term for singles. I am not one for labels but will say I have participated in swinging activities as a single female and met my FWB on a swinger site, we have participated in swinger activities together. Currently he is the only one in my social bubble, something we’ve discussed. Plenty of requests for the unicorn or bull to show a desire for the singles participation. There is something about saying it is a married only activity when at the same time there are multiple requests for our company somehow leaves me feeling a little less of a player. I am a little sensitive today. But I also fully understand and respect those that choose to only play with other married couples.

For us traveling to a exotic warm place like Jamaica certainly would bring out the perv in us. However, with that group we would simply make time to relax with and relish in the time with family. That sounds like a very special time even without the 'extracurriculars' We'd save the perv trip for another time. Enjoy

Most couples are either married or have been in a committed relationship for awhile...it takes that to get to where the relationship is strong enough to have both partners feel secure that nothing will happen (one won't leave for a better/different lover) and the communication and openness can take place. I saw your intro where you are just started dating your guy. There is no love (maybe really in like), no grounds for trust (you really don't KNOW that much about him at this point), and a lack of open communication. Can you count on him being able to tell that you are uncomfortable in a situation and to guide you out of it? Probably not. Not saying that it can't work, but the two of you don't have a foundation to build on yet. At the same time, other couples will probably be leery about the two of you. Most ads on swinging websites talk about having a lack of drama or wanting to avoid drama...newbies to the LS are potential drama. Two people who just started dating and swinging are probably going to (at some point) bring drama (not saying that you will, but the odds say the chance is high). Okay, I'm rambling here. Answer to your question is most couples have been together for awhile...several years usually before making this step.

Not a dumb question. When my wife and I got into the lifestyle I'd say it was a very high % of married couples. Back then the lifestyle seemed to attract the over 40 crowd. Today I think it's much younger and maybe more singles. As far as making a marriage stronger? it had better be pretty strong before deciding to indulge in this type of recreation. We met many couples who probably shouldn't be doing this. There was a big misconception on my part before swinging that people in the lifestyle are well grounded, emotionally stable people with rock solid relationships, not always the case. It certainly can make a strong relationship stronger but it will also quickly turn a weak one into a disaster.