Literature Review #17

First time swingers by Maxine Payne

In this article by Maxine Clark she talks about first time swingers going to their first swinger party. The number one question asked is who is a swinger and who is involved in swinger parties. Maxine says that swinging is not cheating, it’s consensual which means no secrets and both partners are very aware of what takes place. If you are sneaking off and having a casual fling on the side then you are a cheater not a swinger. In the article it says that men will often be the first to initiate a swinging experience and are often surprised at how readily their partners will consent to the idea. A lot of time can pass between discussion and action and many couples may never progress past this point even after an agreement. She says that first time swingers should never feel pressured into sex, there should be 100 % agreement between all parties and at least some chemistry to make the experience as exciting as possible. If a partner gets cold feet or a bad vibe then it is to respect your partner and stop no matter how badly you might want to proceed. Couples need to keep the communication lines open at all times, it’s very important to have some clear boundaries. Swinging can be fun, take the time to find the right partners and test the waters. This is what this is said in the article

-Joaquin Avalos-

Literature Review # 16

History of the swinger life

In this article it says that swing dating has been going on since the early roman times. Because of its enthusiastic acceptance of orgies and alternative sexual practices. It states that both royalty and nobility in many cultures had consorts and concubines with each other. All though contemporary swingers celebrate those ideals, the actual practice of swinging in the 20th century began differently and was done way different. According to Terry Gould's The Lifestyle: A Look at the Erotic Rites of Swingers, swinging began among U.S. Air Force pilots and their wives during World War II. In this small community, the mortality rate among pilots was really high. Gould reports that a close bond between pilots arose, with the implication that the husbands would protect and care for all the wives as their own, both emotionally and sexually, if the husbands were away or lost. This historical narrative is debatable, however, since it would have been highly unusual for men’s wives to accompany them on any foreign tours of duty. Though the exact beginnings are not agreed upon, it is widely assumed that swinging began amongst American military communities in the 1950s. By the time the Korean War ended, these groups had spread from the bases to the nearby suburbs. The media picked up on them in 1957 and promptly dubbed the phenomenon 'wife-swapping.' It wasn't until the 1960s in Berkeley, California that the first organization, 'Sexual Freedom League', for swingers was opened. The most recent study, based on an Internet questionnaire addressed to visitors of lifestyle-related sites, found swingers are happier in their relationships than the norm. 60% Of swingers said that swinging improved their relationship and only 1.7% said it made their relationship less happy. This study, while enlightening, is of limited accuracy of the swinging population as a whole, due to its self-selected sampling technique. Internet-based sampling procedures create a substantial potential for bias. It is likely that those swinging couples who had stronger relationships were more motivated to complete the questionnaire. Alternatively, the stress that swinging may place on a marriage means that only those with higher than average levels of commitment to their partners are able to remain married whilst swinging. This is what this article was mainly about.

-Joaquin Avalos-

Literature Review #15: Gender Differences in Online Dating

Gane, M. E. , 2005-08-12 "Gender Differences in Online Dating: An Investigation of Vulnerability and Deception" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Marriott Hotel, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, PA Online. 2009-05-25 from http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p22108_index.html

Gender Differences in Online Dating: An Investigation of Vulnerability and Deception
by Mary Gane

Summary:
"This paper investigates gender differences in heterosexual online dating through participant observation. Results indicate that women were more likely to decieve men in online dating. Results are not generalizable, however, findings indicate the direction necessary for future research."

-D.Ha

Literature Review #14: Dating Traditions in the Age of the Computer

Samp, J. A. and Palevitz, C. E. , 2008-11-20 "Dating and Romantic Relationships: Taking Tradition into the Future with a Computer" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the NCA 94th Annual Convention, TBA, San Diego, CA Online. 2009-10-27 from http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p258245_index.html

Dating and Romantic Relationships: Taking Tradition into the Future with a Computer
by Caren Palevitz and Jennifer Samp

Summary:
"Traditional approaches to romantic relationship initiation, development, management, and dissolution have focused on such processes as they unfold between face-to-face participants. Little research to date has examined how all stages of romantic relationships have been redefined due to the mainstreaming of the internet as a tool for positive relationship functioning. Therefore, our goal here is to highlight how traditional modes of relationship formation, development, and management are now changing, particularly for “generation net” as a means toward encouraging communication scholars to develop research and theories that integrate computer-mediated processes as an important, and functional, part of romantic relationships."

-D.Ha

Literature Review #13: Sexual Content in Media and Adolescent Sexual Behavior

Bleakley, A. , Hennessy, M. , Fishbein, M. and Jordan, A. B. "It Works Both Ways: The Relationship Between Sexual Content in the Media and Adolescent Sexual Behavior" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, TBA, San Francisco, CA. 2009-05-24 from http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p172439_index.html

It Works Both Ways: The Relationship Between Sexual Content in the Media and Adolescent Sexual Behavior
by Amy Bleakley, Martin Fishbein, Michael Hennessy, and Amy Jordan

Summary:
"There is considerable interest in how sexual content in the media influences adolescent sexual behavior. Current research paradigms focus on exposure to sexual content as a precursor to sexual behavior. That is, our theoretical models presume that exposure precedes behavior. It is plausible, however, that there is a reciprocal relationship between sexual content exposure and sexual behavior. Does exposure to sex in the media cause adolescents to become more sexually active, or do adolescents interested in sex expose themselves to sex in the media? Longitudinal data analysis is not sufficient to address this question since the processes might be simultaneous in nature. Thus results from non-recursive regression analyses (3 stage least squares analysis) on survey data collected from a convenience sample of adolescents ages 14-16 (n=457) indicate that the relationship between sexual content exposure and sexual behavior is simultaneous."

-D.Ha

Literature Review #12: Peer Influence Mediates Sexual Behavior in Adolescents

Chia, S. C. , 2004-05-27 "How peer influence mediates media influence on adolescent sexual behavior" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, New Orleans Sheraton, New Orleans, LA Online. 2009-05-26 from http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p112824_index.html

How Peer Influence Mediates Media Influence on Adolescent Sexual Behavior
by Stella Chia

Summary:
"Previous studies of media effects on adolescent sexuality have primarily focused on the direct effects that were explained by social learning theory or cultivation theory. This study examined an alternative model to explain that peer influence mediates media influence on adolescent sexuality. This model uses the “perceptions of the influence of mass media on others” as a key element to bridge media exposure, perception of peer norms and teenagers’ personal sexuality. It argues that perception of peer norms is the consequence of presumed media influence on peers and that perception, in turn, influences adolescent sexuality.
Data came from a paper-and-pencil survey with 213 late adolescents of 18 or 19-years old. Results generally supported the model. The findings show that: 1) adolescents attend to sex-related media and believe their peers attend to similar media content as themselves; 2) adolescents anticipate influence of the sex-related media content on their peers, and a corresponding increase of their peers’ sexual permissiveness; 3) perceptions of media influence on peer norms regarding sexual issues led adolescents to become more sexually permissive; and 4) the permissive sexual attitudes of adolescents predict the possibility for adolescents to engage in sexual activities."

-D.Ha

Historical Timeline: 1970s-2000s

1970s: The feminism movement that began in the 1960s received greater support in the following decade. This affected dating habits because women were fighting more for their independence and wanted to be recognized to be different and just as capable as men. In 1973, the decision involving Roe vs. Wade was made. The concept of freedom of choice over pro-life changed the decisions made by many men and women involving unplanned pregnancies.

1980s: In the 1980s, gay rights became more widely accepted. More people were becoming more okay with the idea of homosexuals during this era. The immune virus, AIDS, was also discovered in the 1980s. The idea of a disease that was transmitted sexually probably caused a great change in the way people approached casual sex. Although AIDS was though of as a gay disease, it was still feared by heterosexuals and homosexuals.

1990s through 2009: Introduction of the internet happened in the 90s. This is obviously very important because it changed dating tremendously. Online dating was introduced as well as social networking sites. It is important to understand that the ability to communicate via email and messenger sites changed dating because people did not have to meet and get together to communicate. Also, the cell phone was introduced. Texting sexual messages to people or naked pictures to people became the new fad (sexting), and it brought about more promiscuity. Internet porn, more sexually explicit television and music, raunchy music videos...this is the era of sex, not romance.

-A. Merchant

Literature Review # 11: "Gendered Differences in Heterosexual Dating: A Content Analysis of Personal Ads

“Gender Differences in Heterosexual Dating: A Content Analysis of Personal Ads.” By: Larry M. Lance
Lance, Larry. "Gender Differences in Heterosexual Dating: A Content Analysis of Personal Ads." Journal of Men's Studies V. 6 No. 3 (Spring 1998) P. 297-305, 6.3 (1998): 297-305.

There are many different characteristics that people look for in meeting, dating, and possibly finding romance with someone. This article conducts a study to figure out which characteristics in a person are most sought after from both men’s and women’s points of view. They studied 1,433 descriptive ads in magazines and newspapers in the southeastern states of the U.S. Studies conducted in 1977 found that the most frequent characteristic that men seek in women is attractiveness and fertility, which usually refers to a younger woman. In the same study in 1977, women frequently look for a man that would provide financial security, which usually referred to an older man. In a recent study conducted in 1995, which reviewed magazine and newspaper ads about which characteristics are preferred by both men and women, it was found that personality characteristics (sense of humor, kind, honest, warm, and intelligent) are important in the search for a potential partnership for both men and women. However after ranking personality as the number one characteristic, men then ranked attractiveness as number two on the chart of top five characteristics. Women ranked financial/professional/educational characteristics as number two below personality on the chart. This suggests that the women’s movement had an influence on women in searching for a potential heterosexual partner. During the women’s movement, women were encouraged to further their education and strive for careers, thus changing a women’s perspective for which characteristic is most important in a potential partner. Women no longer need to look for a partner that is financially stable because women can earn a reasonable income to survive independently. Therefore preferred characteristics for men and women are slowly shifting. Both focus on personality as opposed to good looks and financial stability.



-V.Lopez

Historical Timeline: 1920s-1960s

1920s: Movies were able to have both sound and color, which increased the amount of movies made and how many people were going to the theater. This could affect dating because there were more people being influenced by popular culture and the stereotypes portrayed by the media. This era was characterized by the "roaring 20s" and it experienced a sudden increase in available technology. The first mass-produced car, the Ford Model-T, was sold in this decade which changed dating forever (afterall, who really wants to date a man without a car?) The flapper era style was embodied by women who dressed in clothing that was comfortable, not to show off for men. This was the lost generation, so to speak, so they were about individualism and finding themselves.


1930s: The crash in the stock market during the year 1929 caused the Great Depression to affect the 30s very heavily. The 30s were a tough era and was the only decade in which murderers and bank robbers were considered celebrities by the American people. Big band music became all the rage, and men and women often listened to music like this on dates. However, because of the economy, this decade is not seen as a huge era for dating and romantic relationships because people were more concerned with surviving and making ends meet.


1940s: Politically, a lot was going on during the 1940s. This was the time of World War II. Men were overseas fighting the war, and women were forced to stay home to watch their kids and work. The idea of women working in factories was a huge change because men typically held these jobs. The 1940s were highly influential because it gave women the first nudge toward working outside of the home. Women also had more power in their households because their significant others were gone. Although dating probably changed a lot because of the amount of young men fighting in the war, there seem to be many relationships from this era that lasted through generations. Americans wanted a hero, and I think this is why so many women applauded their mens bravery in the armed forces instead of dwelling on their problems at home.


1950s: Ohhh yay! The first oral contraceptive was introduced in the 1950s. This meant that women could have sex with more people without living in fear of getting pregnant. Perhaps this is where being more promiscuous happened. The 50s were also the era that people began recognizing teenagers as young adults and did not associate them so closely with children. This era is also classified by the baby boom. More people were having babies than ever because women wanted to have kids once their husbands came back from war. Sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe, and crooners like Frank Sinatra made huge impacts on the generation.


1960s: Although the 1960s had events like the Vietnam war, the demonstrations were peaceful. This era was classified by the "happy face." The 60s meant free love and hippies. Sex became more of a casual thing than romantic. Drugs were being sold and taken like crazy during this time, which is why it is so important to dating because drugs were a part of so many relationships.

-A. Merchant

Interviews about Relationships/Swinging

a)FIRST INTERVIEW
b)SECOND INTERVIEW
1. NAME:
a)KAREN HERNANDEZ
b)ANDREYA
2. AGE:
a)19
b)18
3. GENDER:
a)FEMALE
b)FEMALE
4. ENTHNICITY:
a)LATINA
b)LATINA
5. ARE YOU IN A RELATIONSHIP?
a)YES, FOR THREE MONTHS
b)NO
6. DO YOU KNOW WHAT SWING DATING IS?
a)YES, AND IM NOT VERY FOND OF IT.
b)YES, IVE SEEN IT ON TV
7. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A SWINGER PARTY?
a)NO, I THINK IT IS DISGUISTING, I THINK THAT IT WOULD MAKE ME SEEM LIKE A SLUT.
b)NO, NEVER BEEN INTERESTED.
8. WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO TRY SWING DATING IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
a)BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE A BOYFRIEND AND I WOULD NEVER WANT TO SHARE HIM WITH ANYONE ELSE EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT BE ONE OF HIS FANTASY'S. BECAUSE IM SURE HE WOULDNT LET ME DO THAT.
b)BECAUSE I DONT LIKE TO SHARE WITH ANYONE ELSE.
9. DURING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER TRYING SWING DATING FOR SEXUAL PLEASURE?
a)NO IT WOULD NEVER CROSS MY MIND.
b)NO NEVER THOUGHT OF IT.
10. IF YOUR PARTNER WANTED TO BE APART OF A "SWINGING ACTIVITY" AND YOU WERE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IT WOULD YOU STILL BE APART OF IT ONLY TO PLEASURE YOUR PARTNER?
a)HELL NO, I WOULD LITERALY LEAVE HIM THE MINUTE HE THINKS ABOUT IT. IF WHAT IM DOING ISN'T ENOUGH THEN HE CAN LEAVE AS SOON AS POSIBLE LOL.
b)YA SURE WHY NOT BUT ONLY IF I WAS ABLE TO CHOSE THE PERSON HE WAS GONNA DO IT WITH LOL.
11. WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD BRING UP THE IDEA OF WANTING TO BE A SWINGER COUPLE?
a)MALES BECAUSE ISN'T SEX ALWAYS ON THEIR MIND, RIGHT OR MAYBE WHO EVER IS MORE HORNIER AT THE MOMENT.
b)I THINK WHO EVER HAS SEX OR THE IDEA ON THERE MIND OR MAYBE THE MALE BECAUSE HE HAS SEX ON HIS MIND MOST OF THE TIME.
12. WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE HAVE SWINGER PARTIES?
a)BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HOOK UP WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
b)BECAUSE THEY ARE CURIOUS AND MAYBE WANT TO TRY NEW THINGS.
13. WOULD YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IF THE OTHER PERSON AT THE SWINGER PARTY THAT YOUR PARTNER WOULD GET WITH, WAS THE SAME GENDER AS YOUR PARTNER?
a)I WOULDN'T WANT HIM TO DO IT PERIOD LOL. THATS HOW I FEEL.
b)NO I WOULDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE PERIOD BECAUSE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE KIND OF WEIRD IF MY PARTNER WOULD KISS SOMEONE OF HIS SAME GENDER.