Gendered Stigma
80% of female respondents in a survey conducted by the ASPQ claim that women are judged more negatively than men when intoxicated by alcohol1.
Women face harsher judgment from others when they consume alcohol.
The double standard in alcohol consumption is a persistent reality that disproportionately affects women2,3. While alcohol consumption is often valorized among men, high consumption or, conversely, the choice not to drink, is often judged more harshly in women. This dynamic reflects social expectations and gender norms that dictate expected behaviors according to gender.
Stigma is even more pronounced when it comes to mothers, pregnant women, and those living with an alcohol-related disorder.
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Alcohol Use and Parenthood
3 out of 4 women claim that mothers are judged differently than fathers when they consume alcohol1.
Mothers face significant pressure to conform to traditional roles, with alcohol consumption often perceived as an irresponsible behavior for a parent4. A mother who drinks can quickly be labeled as a bad mother, as the social norm views alcohol consumption as incompatible with the societal ideal of motherhood4. This pressure is even stronger during pregnancy, a time when health institutions recommend completely abstaining from alcohol4,5.
Due to the mental load that mothers carry, many resort to alcohol to unwind, despite the social taboos surrounding it6. This contradiction is even more striking when comparing the perception of alcohol consumption among fathers, which is often judged less harshly and sometimes even seen as an acceptable way to relieve stress7.
Alcohol-related disorders
Women struggling with alcohol-related disorders face higher levels of stigma4. They must navigate societal expectations associated with femininity and motherhood, as well as the stereotypes linked to addiction. Being a parent or becoming one while dealing with addiction can both motivate changes in drinking habits and act as a barrier to seeking help. Women with alcohol-related disorders are more likely to face challenges related to child custody4,8. These women are less likely to seek help and are at a higher risk of experiencing violence. The compounded pressures they face often lead them to hide their struggles and delay seeking support.
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An obstacle to seeking help
The stigma surrounding women who consume alcohol represents an obstacle to seeking help and accessing services.
The stigmatization surrounding alcohol consumption among women is a determinant of health and well-being. It can lead to feelings of shame and guilt, as well as to isolation, encouraging women to hide their alcohol use and avoid seeking help. This stressor can worsen their physical and mental health4,9,10.
Stigmatization also manifests itself when members of a community reinforce prejudices and gender norms related to alcohol consumption. Women may then face discrimination and encounter barriers in various areas of their lives, such as employment, housing, and healthcare4,9,10.
Stigmatization can also have a structural dimension and originate within healthcare settings. The healthcare, treatment, and support services available to women struggling with alcohol-related disorders are not always tailored to their needs and realities4. The staff may have internalized stigmatizing behaviors in their practice. These systemic barriers contribute to worsening the social and health inequalities experienced by women.
References
[1] Léger et ASPQ Perception sur la consommation d’alcool 2023 – NON PUBLIÉ.
[2] Nicholls E (2022) “There’s nothing classy about a drunk 40-year-old” : The role of ‘respectable’ femininity in the drinking biographies and sobriety stories of midlife women, In: Thurnell-Read T, Fenton L (Eds.), Palgrave Macmillan, 251–272.
[3] Griffin C, Szmigin I, Bengry-Howell A, et al. (2013) Inhabiting the contradictions: Hypersexual femininity and the culture of intoxication among young women in the UK. Fem Psychol 23: 184–206.
[4] Harris MTH, Laks J, Stahl N, et al. (2022) Gender dynamics in substance use and treatment: a women’s focused approach. Med Clin North Am 106: 219–234.
[5] Aspler J, Zizzo N, Bell E, et al. (2019) Stigmatisation, Exaggeration, and Contradiction: An Analysis of Scientific and Clinical Content in Canadian Print Media Discourse About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Can J Bioeth Rev Can Bioéthique 2: 23–35.
[6] Harding KD, Whittingham L, McGannon KR (2021) #sendwine: An Analysis of Motherhood, Alcohol Use and #winemom Culture on Instagram. Subst Abuse Res Treat 15: 11782218211015195.
[7] Newman H, Nelson KA (2021) Mother needs a bigger “helper”: A critique of “wine mom” discourse as conformity to hegemonic intensive motherhood. Sociol Compass 15: e12868.
[8] Becker JB, McClellan ML, Reed BG (2017) Sex differences, gender and addiction. J Neurosci Res 95: 136–147.
[9] Karpyak VM, Biernacka JM, Geske JR, et al. (2016) Gender-specific effects of comorbid depression and anxiety on the propensity to drink in negative emotional states. Addict Abingdon Engl 111: 1366–1375.
[10] Barrault M (2013) Spécificités des problèmes d’utilisation de substances chez les femmes. Psychotropes 19: 9–34.