Alcohol Consumption and Gender: A Critical Review

This article reviews the changing trends of alcohol consumption from a gender point of view. Up until now, a consistent rise is seen in alcohol consumption amongst women but overall alcohol consumption is greater in males than that in females. But recently an increase in female alcohol consumption is observed in most societies and culture. The striking difference between the trends in Europe and Asia is perhaps the inferior surveillance system, a difference in culture and tradition, variable SES, education, and female entry into the workforce. Women by far are more likely to be affected from alcohol abuse owing to the aforementioned biological and sociocultural factors. The article summarizes the findings of some recent studies about alcohol consumption and emphasizes the necessity to combat this emerging female alcohol epidemic.

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