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Topic : 01/25 Secrets in the Suburbs

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Created on : Saturday, September 29, 2007, 09:23:47 am
Author : DrPhilBoard1
How well do you think you know your neighbors, your friends and even your child's teacher? It is estimated that four to eight million people in North America are swinging in the suburbs -- mostly middle-class folks from all walks of life. Dr. Phil gives you a closer look at who these couples are who engage in sex with other twosomes. First up, Nita and Walter have been swinging for the last 12 years. They say they are happy in the lifestyle, so why does it cause tension in their relationship? Then, Brent says he has a strong yearning for he and his wife, Renee, to participate in a threesome. Renee says the idea disgusts her, but worries that if she refuses to join in, Brent will leave her. They fight constantly, often dragging their 17-year-old son into the middle of their chaos. Brent says he thinks about having threesomes every other day, but says that his desire is normal. What does Dr. Phil think? And, Dr. Phil viewers weigh in and share their thoughts about the swinging lifestyle. Join the discussion.

Find out what happened on the show.

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January 26, 2008, 4:30 am PST

01/25 Secrets in the Suburbs

You say you have strong yearnings to share your wife with others.  That it is hard to pull away from this type of behavior..........My question is to you and others,  Do you all have this strong of  yearnings for  God?
 
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January 26, 2008, 4:47 am PST

A Misconception of Marriage

Obviously, those who condone, and are engaged in, a swinging lifestyle define marriage according to their own system of "law" and come far short of having any respect for the only authority who actually instituted the marriage relationship from the very beginning of time - the God of heaven and creator of the universe - who instituted marriage to be between ONE man and ONE woman for a lifetime.

 

With the exception of the couple Brent and Renee, since there seemed like there was hope for these two to resolve this issue that is tearing their marriage to pieces, I was disappointed, Dr. Phil, that you even took your valuable time to even air such a show. Such topics should be left for Maury Povich.

 
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January 26, 2008, 4:51 am PST

The

This show could not have been more timely for me. My common law spouse of 10 years & I are in the midst of going our separate ways. Just after we purchased a home together (10 years ago) he showed me an advert for a swingers club. He never pushed it ....just from time to time he would ask me about it (going to a dance). About 4 mths after moving in together I agreed.  We met some of our best friends at the "club".  It was his fantasy that we have a threesome with another man and during our intimate times he loved to talk about that possiblity. I use to ask him if he was serious because the idea intrigue me and I don't know why.  During sex, if we talked about past boyfriends I had and what we did it turned him on.... huge (if you know what I mean).  I met someone that I thought I would like to bring into our relationship. He was single. After a couple of discussions he was intrigued but wasn't interested in the threesome portion only interested in being with me. My spouse encourage me to go out with this person. He suggested we go shopping together, after all, he should buy me gifts he said.  He also said things like, too bad your "boyfriend isn't rich" he could take you away for weekends, a week!!!  I mentoned this to the 'boyfirend' and he did.  He took me away and took me shopping.  I started to fall in love. My spouse asked me if I was developing feelings for this person and I told him the truth!  He was happy for me!  I thought, sweet, !! I didn't think beyond that! My spouse was starting to think though!  He wanted me to stop about 4 months in to this new relationship. I didn't want to but it was riping me apart I couldn't juggle 2 separate relationships. I had to make a choice. That killed me too! I tried ending it 3 times with my boyfirend and he was very supportive and stepped away. It was me who couldn't let go.  Along with financial problems with my spouse and kid problems (we each had  from previous marriages)  I couldn't concentrate on my relationship of 10 years.  I was in love with my boyfriend. He was fun, good looking, attentive. He offered an 'escape' from my every day pressures.  My spouse says I should have stopped all this when he told me too!  He wanted me to do this & because I didn't stop he says it's my fault. He hasn't taken any responsibiltiy for this.  He never took into consideration the power of emotions & neither did I.  I am in love with my 'boyfriend'.  I do not regret my decision.  I constantly wonder why I did not fulfill my spouses sexual needs without having a threesome. I don't understand why, I alone was not enough for him.  He talked about this from the time we moved in together. We knew each other for a year before we bought the house & then 4 mths later we were visiting swingers clubs.  You know, I never stopped to say to myself, "what are you doing, this isn't what I am intersted in, going to the club, it doesn't turn ME on".  I am a first born, a pleaser, & I truly believe I entertained the lifestyle idea to please him, to win him, to keep him.  Now I have found someone who is happy with me, only me and I could not be happier.  Please be careful because an emotional affair is far stronger than a physical/sexual affair.

 
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January 26, 2008, 4:59 am PST

01/25 Secrets in the Suburbs

Quote From: raymom5

Why is it so hard for you to believe that people can actually be happy?  I do not understand you.  I know my life sounds fake and boring to you, but believe me it isn't.  My husband and I are two people that have been married for 23 years.  We are totally committed to each other.  You probably don't believe in that sappy love at first sight stuff...but it is true.  There is no exaggerating or covering up.  Trust me.  We have had six babies, five living.  We lost a baby ten years ago.  It was devastating.  That was the worst thing that ever happened to us, but we got through it.  I just cannot imagine sharing my marriage with other couples.  This is our life, our kids.  We are what we are.  Sappy as it may be.  I wish everyone felt like we do....sorry.

Why is it so hard for YOU to believe that people who live their lives and marriages differently from you can actually be happy?
 
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January 26, 2008, 5:10 am PST

01/25 Secrets in the Suburbs

Quote From: raymom5

Like I said before, I love diversity in the world.....but swinging isn't part of the diversity.  It is an amorral lifestyle.....don't try to tell me that you have a real marriage.  The thought of you thinking it is real offends me.

What is offensive is YOU believing you have some sort of authority as to who has a "real" marriage. This whole need to hold your marriage as some sort of standard that everyone else should live up to is smug. I am VERY happy in my marriage..we don't and wouldn't swing...yet I feel no compulsion that everyone else live MY way.

 

That is the real downfall of society...a select few giving themselves moral authority over how other people should live their private lives. Are you equally offended by people of different religions than your...are you offended by married people who handle their finances differently than how it is done in your perfect marriage??OR is this just an angry preoccupation with other people's sex lives?

 
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January 26, 2008, 5:11 am PST

To Renee

I wanted to leave a message for Renee. I saw the show yesterday and can't get your face out of my mind. You looked so sad, in so much pain and alone. I just wanted to say that you're not alone. We've all experienced the same sadness, pain and loneliness at some point in our lives. There's a beautiful, peaceful world waiting for you out there, filled with warm, caring, and trustworthy people. I know you can't see it right now, but it's there. With some help - Dr. Phil, some counceling, and some really good girlfriends, you can set your feet on that path. Every step on that path get's you closer. Like I said, your going to need helpers - everybody needs helpers on there own path. And, you're going to need a good imagination to picture that place every day.

Just know, I'll be thinking of you on your journey. Please send us a postcard!

Sister in spirit from Chicago
 
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January 26, 2008, 5:12 am PST

01/25 Secrets in the Suburbs

I'm no prude, been in the Marine Corps from the tail end of WWII to the tail end of Vietnam and that's a lot of tail (joke, just thought that would make good reading), been married for 57 years, come February, but Heaven to Betsy, my suggestion to those "Swingers" ..... rip off all your clothes and go on outdoors on your fours with the rest of your animal friends. $5,000 for a pad? Yikes, you can smell out a lot of hydrants for a lot less than that!
 
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January 26, 2008, 5:23 am PST

HUSBAND SUGGESTED

NOT REALLY SURPRISED SINCE HE HAD ALREADY BEEN UNFAITHFUL MANY TIMES....I TOLD HIM I WOULD NOT MIND SWINGING IF I WASN'T SO UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT MY BODY.   AND I ALSO WONDERED WHO HAD HE BEEN TALKING TO ABOUT THIS WITH...  ANYWAY ABOUT 4 OR 5 MONTHS LATER HE ASKED ME FOR A DIVORCE.  I THINK HE JUST WANTED TO F... AROUND ON ME SOMEMORE AND THAT WAY IT WOULD "BE OKAY"

WELL, IT KIND OF HURT MY FEELINGS.  

I GUESS NOW HE CAN F.... AROUND WITH WHOM EVER HE WANTS....NOW HE'S OUT THERE ALONE.

 
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January 26, 2008, 5:41 am PST

Separation

The guy trying to cajole his wife into something she doesn't want to do  lost respect for her long before he even brought this up.  He crossed the line from fantasy into wanting to fulfill his own selfish needs without any concern to what she feels or wants.  Although some might not admit it, many men and women have fantasies about being with others while their spouse is either present or watching.  For most cases, this remains a fantasy unspoken.  It could even be spoken to heighten things but usually is not.  I have been in this lifestyles as part of my own exploration into various avenues of the erotic and overall have found that it takes the strongest of love and trust in your partner to enjoy this lifestyle.   Like it was said above, there is no room for jealousy or suspicion.  People who aren't strong in their love and belief in their partner shouldn't even consider this lifestyle.  Also said above, it is definately NOT for everybody!  A HUGE part is communication!  It doesn't hurt ever to ask your spouse if they would like to try something different whether it be this or something else not considered the "norm".  Hopefully they will give their honest opinion and if it's not the one you want, respect your spouse and accept the answer!  Keep your fantasies a fantasy and enjoy the thought of it. 

  For those who pass judgement on people who engage in erotic arenas that these people deem "perverted" or "dirty" are the same people who will pass judgement on anything a person does that doesn't fit in with that particular persons beliefs or way of living.  Who are you to judge what another couple days together?  Even if you live the most pious life, who's to say that you are the judge of other people?  I have done many things that the judgement people would probably cast me into the pits of hell for but to many people, there is nothing wrong with exploring your sexuality.  Anyway, starting to rant here but just couldn't keep quiet anymore after seeing so many "normal people" looking down upon those who don't conform to what they feel is healthy sexual practice.  I'd love to be able to look into those peoples minds, in the furthest darkest corners they would never tell anybody about, and see what they think. 

 
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January 26, 2008, 5:54 am PST

been there, done that

Quote From: firegoddess

 I am not a regular watcher of Dr. Phil, but was made aware of the show on swinging by my Lifestyle friends. I was disappointed to see such an incomplete picture of the LIfestyle and what it means on a cultural level.


There are a number of assumptions made by Dr. Phil about the Lifestyle that are simply incorrect.

1. Couples in the Lifestyle are missing something in their relationships they are seeking in other people.  Not true.  

   

Couples that have healthy relationships in the Lifestyle are not looking to replace their partners or fill any kind of void their partner doesn't fill. They are simply looking to enjoy a fun sexual experience with other people including their spouse. As beyond the realm of possibility it may seem to most Americans, (safer) sex is fantastic fun. And for those who don't repress their sexual beings, sex with more than one person can be an ecstatic experience.  

   

2. All Americans believe the only way to have a successful marriage is to be monogamous. Not true.  

   

Some couples do not consider monogamy as a criterion for a successful marriage. For couples that have complete satisfaction, trust and peace in their partnership and are sexually open and unrepressed, the Lifestyle is the ultimate evolution of a soul-connected partnership.  

   

3. All Americans think the idea of the Lifestyle is repugnant. Not true.  

   

Many people would admit to being titillated by the idea. Hence the reason Dr. Phil did the show. It is a draw because Americans are drawn to sexual subjects. It is the paradox of a culture steeped in sex yet fearful of open sexuality.  

   

I have much more to say. However, I will simply finish by reiterating the comment made by one of the (poorly chosen) guests that everyone knows people in the Lifestyle. My husband and I are a perfect example of the solid, loving professional couple that puts our family first and takes time out on the weekends to have a rocking good time with other like-minded, open, honest, intelligent doctors, teachers, firefighters, architects, nurses. . .  Well, you get the idea.  

   

If you were freaking out watching the show, just remember swingers are at the grocery store, at the PTA meeting, volunteering at charity functions and even, you guessed it, singing in the church choir.  

I found this show very interesting.  I have been married for 13 years and have 3 children.  Before the children we were hanging out with some friends that were swingers. I was both appalled and intrigued at the same time.  after many nights of questions I decided I wanted to know what it was like to touch a girl in a sexual way.  (never wanted to before).  Boundaries were set, (i made the most and broke my own boundaries).  The next day I was confused.  We got with the couple again with intentions for just having a regular evening.  We ended up messing around and having sex with our own spouse but while in the same room.  Later my husband and I both agreed that what we liked best was being with each other in the same room.  There was something cool for us having that additional sexual energy.  This happened a few more times with this couple and then we had 3somes with 2 different girlfriends of mine.

 

Having said that I do believe some fantasies are better left fantasies.  It's not all that and it gets messy with feelings and trust.

 

9 years and 3 kids later we don't have the time or energy to seek this out so we bring in fictitious people to our bed.  It is a lot safer and in some ways even more fun!

 

peace to all

 

 
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