Chapter 1: Understanding the Dynamics

In previous discussions, I touched on the relationship between swinging and the commodification of one’s partner. Due to interest in this topic, I’d like to elaborate further.

It’s essential to recognize that I perceive sexual behaviors as a spectrum rather than distinct categories. Many individuals assert that their inclination toward swinging is “normal” and will not escalate to more harmful behaviors. However, my clinical experience suggests that engaging in acts like infidelity and swinging can lead to increasingly negative behaviors, raising the risk of sexual dependencies.

A few years back, the notion of treating one’s spouse as a commodity seemed extreme to many. While it was generally frowned upon, there have always been partners willing to profit from their spouses’ bodies, often framing it as a means of earning “easy money.” The concept of profiting from your spouse was often relegated to sensational novels or seen in impoverished regions.

One of the avenues for this commodification includes personal sex advertisements. Previously, such ads were confined to the back pages of adult magazines. At a more subtle level, some individuals offered photos or videos of their partners. As situations escalated, the spouse was sometimes used to settle debts, with the partner taking on a role akin to a pimp. In these scenarios, the exploited partner can feel like a mere asset in a transactional relationship.

There are also instances where partners have been pushed into the adult film industry. The reality can be far from glamorous; for example, Karen L., who tragically ended her life after enduring the challenges of the porn industry, which she entered through her husband.

For swingers, the exchange of spouses occurs without the exchange of money. Instead of financial transactions, it becomes a barter system for partners, where one spouse is traded for another. Even if these exchanges are temporary, they carry the weight of exploitation. The idea of settling your spouse’s debts through intimate encounter