EVENTS

Indiana isn't a Top 10 state for the 'swinger lifestyle' but two of its neighbors are

John Tufts Kendall Little
Indianapolis Star

Conservative-leaning Indiana is not a swing state in the political sense — nor, as it turns out, in the bedroom.

Swinging — or wife-swapping, as it used to be called — is the practice of exchanging partners for sex. New search data recently revealed the top 15 states most interested in swinging. Adult novelty company Joy Love Dolls, perhaps experts in the field, analyzed Google Trends data over a 12-month period by recording how often people across the country looked up terms such as "swing lifestyle," "wife swapping" and "sex parties."

While the Hoosier state didn't make the cut, two of its neighbors — Michigan and Ohio — ranked among the top ten places interested in swinging. Here's what we know about the results.

Live storm updates:Will Beryl barrel through Indiana with tornados? Track storm's path

What percentage of married couples swing?

It's unclear how many people living in the U.S. participate in swinging today. Some estimates say it's 2% or less while others claim 5% of American adults, roughly 10 million people, are actively engaged in a form of non-monogamy.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

What is 'ethical non-monogamy'?

The term "ethical non-monogamy," explains Open-Love.org, is a range of relationships where partners engage in romantic, sexual or intimate acts with the full knowledge and consent of everyone involved.

"Non-monogamous relationships can be as fulfilling and rewarding as monogamous relationships," said Cecille Ahrens, a licensed clinical social worker at Transcend Therapy in California during a previous interview with USA TODAY. "One is not necessarily better than the other."

Is swinging popular in Michigan?

According to the study, the Great Lake state searched for swinger terms for a monthly volume of 536 per 100,000 people. Michigan's search volume landed it number 4 among swinging states.

How common is the swing lifestyle in Ohio?

Ohio, according to the study, had a monthly search volume of 459 per 100,000 people, landing the Buckeye state at number 10 in the country among those searching for swinger terms.

Where is swinging popular in the U.S.?

Here's the top 15 states ranked by monthly average search volume for a swinger lifestyle per 100,000 people.

  1. Pennsylvania: 660 per 100k
  2. New York: 590
  3. Delaware: 537
  4. Michigan: 526
  5. New Jersey: 512
  6. Virginia: 501
  7. North Carolina: 498
  8. South Carolina: 481
  9. Nevada: 460
  10. Ohio: 459
  11. Maryland: 458
  12. Florida: 453
  13. Rhode Island: 453
  14. Connecticut: 439
  15. Tennessee: 437

How do you tell if someone is a swinger?

There's a few symbols within the swinging community to spot if someone is a swinger. Here's what to look for, according to sex education expert Amy Nguyen.

  • Pink flamingo, garden gnome, or Pampas grass in the front lawn.
  • Upside down pineapple displayed in front yard, patio, or mailbox.
  • Black ring on the right hand.
  • Large mirrors in the home.
  • Hot tub in the backyard.

While these things may be common symbols of swinging, they don't always indicate someone is into the swinger lifestyle.

Why do married couples swing?

Sex experts say swinging can actually strengthen certain relationships and decrease the risk of divorce. Communication, which can lead to healthier relationships, is a big part of swinging.

Another reason swinging is popular is because some couples feel monogamy puts too much pressure on one partner to meet all of the other's needs.

That said, non-monogamy isn't for everyone, and "swinging won't fix a broken relationship," Allison Moon, author of "Getting It: A Guide to Hot, Healthy Hookups and Shame-Free Sex," told USA TODAY in a previous article. It can, however, add "new adventure," she said, "and excitement to already solid ones."

Others are reading:When the full moon shines in July and how to spot the 'Summer Triangle' in Indiana

USA TODAY reporter David Oliver and Damon C. Williams contributed to this article.

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at JTuftsReports.