Sex Differences, Women's Roles and Alcohol Use: Preliminary National Data

Alcohol consumption and problems with alcohol were compared for men and women in a secondary analysis of national data from approximately 1,000 men and 1,000 women. For both men and women, the divorced and unemployed had the highest rates of consumption and problems, with employed women not far behind. However, employed women who are married showed significantly higher rates than single employed women or married women not employed outside the home. These results were interpreted in terms of sex role stereotyping and discrimination leading to stresses for women in non‐traditional roles, and possible role conflict between demands of marriage and employment due to lack of external supports for women in those roles.