Gender and intoxication: from masculinity to intersectionality

Alcohol use, misuse, and intoxication have long been associated with men and masculinity. In different cultures and at different times, researchers have consistently found significant gender differences in drinking and intoxication prevalence rates. However, more recently gender differences appear to be diminishing. Nevertheless, while this may be the case, it does not necessarily mean that the meaning of drinking and intoxication for young women and men are the same. With this in mind, the aim of this paper is to explore recent theoretical developments by feminist researchers to examine gender and intoxication. Research on intoxicating substances and gender has developed considerably in the last 20 years, especially in the social sciences. Much of the more recent research has explored how the boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behavior are critically influenced by societal norms about gender performance. While we are fortunate that feminist research has developed and begun to highlight the contradictory discourses about young women’s intoxication, and critique of neo-liberal discourses concerning the position of women, there still remain significant gaps within these research fields if we are to fully understand the role and meaning of intoxication for all young people and not merely for white, middle-class cisgender young people.