Peculiarities of alcohol consumption in female urban population of different social and professional status

Abstract

The aim of the work is to study the prevalence of alcohol consumption and features of alcoholic behavior among working urban women with different professional and social status. The situation with the involvement of various groups of women in alcohol consumption is analyzed on the basis of quantitative and qualitative long – term studies conducted by the team of Sector of Sociology of Deviant Behavior of ISRAS – FCTAS RAS. The article analyzes the features of alcoholic behavior – the regularity and intensity of alcohol consumption, the structure of consumed alcoholic beverages – among women leaders, specialists with higher education without subordinates, women employees and workers of various qualifications. The main motives of alcohol consumption in these groups were revealed. It is shown that, despite the recorded positive trend of recent years towards a decrease in alcoholism among women in large cities, the nature of alcohol consumption in some socio-professional groups of women has changed significantly. Business women with a high social status who drink alcohol have a heavier alcohol habits. The article considered the influence of the epidemic of coronavirus infection and the self-isolation regime introduced by the government of the Russian Federation in spring of 2020 on alcoholic behavior of women with different socio-professional status. It was found that according to many indicators of alcoholic behavior, business women represent a high-risk group. The factors contributing to the alcoholization of business women are identified, the role of alcohol in their life, the motives of consumption are considered. It is shown that significant factors of alcoholization of business women and women-leaders are the need to follow the business culture with its inherent practice of alcohol consumption, the desirability of a woman’s compliance with opposing social norms, as well as work stress. In an effort to adapt to the current difficult conditions, business women resort to alcohol. 

Keywords

• alcoholization
• female alcohol behavior
• women
• motives for alcohol consumption
• stigmatization
• social status