"Women my age drink a lot – it's normal"

Women aged 50-70 are more likely than younger women to consume alcohol at levels that exceed low-risk drinking guidelines – and most think that's just fine.

New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found that despite the potential health risks of exceeding national drinking guidelines, many middle-aged and young women who consume high-risk alcohol typically view their drinking as normal and acceptable for as long as possible. because they seem respectable and in control.

The study examined the social construction of alcohol use in 49 women aged 50 to 69 in Denmark and Australia. According to Australian health authorities, drinking more than two standard drinks each day significantly increases the risk of premature death over a woman's lifetime.

Key findings:

• Women value control, respect, social pleasure and a feeling of liberation more than the amount of alcohol consumed or possible health risks.
• While some women reported drinking less because of health risks, others suggested that positive health behaviors, such as exercise, served to "neutralize" alcohol-related health risks.
• Health advice and interventions regarding the drinking practices of middle-aged and young women should recognize that women can socially construct their drinking practices to prioritize issues other than biomedical effects of alcohol.

Controlled and acceptable drinking

dr. Dare said the study highlighted the widespread use of alcohol in both samples from women in Australia and Denmark.

“Respondents from both countries indicated that alcohol consumption among women their age was normal and acceptable,” she said.

One respondent commented:

“It's become part of the norm… It's something we do with our acquaintances, friends and family. That's just something we do” (D8, age 59).

“However, the importance of 'staying in control' while drinking emerged as an important determinant of the social acceptability of drinking,” said Dr. Dare.

Another respondent said:

“As long as they (women) don't fool themselves, they don't want to fall and show their underpants” (A9, age 69).

Cultural differences

While the study highlighted many similarities between Australian and Danish women, an interesting cultural difference was the way Australian women thought about alcohol in relation to stress.

“If the Australian women had any kind of fear in their lives, they believed it was acceptable to drink. They were quite open about this saying, 'I was just having a bad day, I needed a drink,' said Dr. Dare.”

“Danish women were not the same. They reported that it was not "acceptable" to drink when they were upset. They believed that you should not use alcohol as a refuge to cope,” she said.