[rvedd001]

Now, let me start trying to answer some questions. I will ask for your forgiveness in advance if I do not get to them all. I am moving, and trying to juggle many things, but I will give it my best shot!

I understand that some things I reported here may make you bristle, and I understand that completely. I hope that there are things that I found here that please you as well. Certainly this research is not perfect, no research is. I would be a fool to say that mine has no flaws! I did the best I could though, with some people that are amazing and learned a lot. That was my aim. To learn more about this culture, and hopefully dispel some myths.

Socolais-What suprised me most about my findings was a few things. I came in to this having no idea how commitment would be defined by a swinger. This has never been asked in research before. It turned out that it was defined in a very "traditional" way. To me that shoots the hell out of the theories that some have that swingers are these people that have no idea as to what a "real" relationship was. All of these things kept coming up when commitment was defined such as an emotional bond, friendship, security, loyalty, honesty, communication, being there for one another, and sharing responsability. Now how can you tell me that this is so different from what non-swingers want? The primary difference lies of course in sexual expectations. That is where we see the parting of ways, but primarily, this sample defined commitment much like anybody else more than likely would.

I was not suprised by, but was pleased to see how many people use condoms and get tested for sexually transmitted infections. That blows another "outsider" thoery to hell that those who participate in this lifestyle are all disease-ridden and sexually irresposponsible.


two42lovers-

To measure sexual permissiveness I used the permissiveness subscale of the Sexual Attitudes Scale by Hendrick and Hendrick. To measure commitment I used the Investment Model Scale. Both measures are reliable and valid and have been used with a variety of populations.

What I would like to note about measuring commitment is that it is quite possible that no scale currently is use may by proper to use to measure commitment in swingers. Although the current study found that swingers define commitment in a similar traditional manner to those in monogamous relationships, the major difference of sexual expectations within the committed relationship still needs to be taken into consideration. The IMS scale may not be truly sensitive enough to detect these types of changes in this population. In other words, by not being able to accurately measure both the more traditional and non-traditional aspects of commitment within this population, it is difficult to distinguish individual differences that would illustrate relationships with other concepts. I noted this in my thesis so that it is very clear that this is a potential limitation.


Chicup-

First of all, please see above to see what measures I used. A correlation was found, the more permissive you are, the less commited you feel. This finding while unpleasant to some, was found. Once again, this correlation may not be found with a more accurate measure for commitment with swingers.

The IMS scale defines commitment as the intent to remain in a relationship.

Secondly, if you read some of my other findings, I also did find that swingers report more positive than negative influences to their relationship due to swinging. When I asked about negative influences, a whole bunch of you said a big ol "NOTHING" influences your relationshpi negatively. That's an awesome finding!


Vjklander-

So you think I should have gone and done some real field research like Mr. Gould? Oh yes, it would have been awesome, and don't think I was not invited or still tempted now. Due to the fact that I fund my own research, and have time constraints, the internet seemed to be the best option for the research. Sure there are always better options. Maybe next time?

You ask how can commitment levels be equal? They are not significant when you look at the differences between men and women. Even though men and women are different in permissiveness, it does not effect the overall relationship between permissiveness and commitment.

However, when you run a correlation, which looks at the degree of relationship between two variables (commitment and permissiveness) a significant relationship was found. The two scores go in the same direction. A high score in commitment goes with a high score in permissiveness (keep in mind a high score in permissiveness means low permissiveness). Does this make sense?

WesternSwing-

The definition of sexual permissiveness for research purposes is and individuals that holds certain beliefs about themselves and others sexuality, such as acceptance of extensive sexual experience (e.g., multiple sexual partners, variety of sexual practices). It is unfair to generalize and say that those that are sexually permissive cheat. That may be true or half-true, or maybe not at all. But that is something that I could not say unless it was established. In research we pull from what has been done to give us some basis of course for comparison. This is why I compare my findings with those of other researchers. Swingers are very different, and I have noted that over and over in my thesis. I agree 100% that much more has to be done in respect to swingers attitudes about marriage and commitment to their primary partner. This is one of the most interesting things I have ever researched, and I really think that so many of you have a great thing going.

Whew! I hope that this helps you guys so far. I'm sure there's a million typos in here and I'm sorry for that!

Have a great night everyone.

Rachel