Navigating 'soft swopping': the thrill of intimacy while following one crucial rule

THERE'S a new trend among couples that’s shaking up the way they think about love, intimacy and boundaries: it's called “soft swopping”.

- ALYSSIA BIRJALAL

This practice allows partners to have fun with others while agreeing to one important rule: no penetrative sex.

In simple terms, it's a way for couples to explore their feelings with others but still keep some special things just for each other.

Urban Dictionary describes soft swopping or soft swinging as that “form of consensual non-monogamy where couples explore sexual activities with other people, but without engaging in intercourse or penetration”.

Recently, “interest in soft swopping has skyrocketed, particularly following the release of the Netflix docuseries, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

People started searching for this trend more than ever earlier this year, likely sparked by discussions about the show and what it revealed.