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Why do women drink?
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What makes women reach out for the bottle? Depression, peer pressure and sometimes even the need to look trendy
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Women today do not mind social drinking
How do we define drinking in the context of some women who signs off a hard day by just marinating in gin `n' juice? Is drinking an activity of pleasure? A stress buster in liquid form? A social obligation? Peer pressure? An escape when mad and sad? A fun way to kick up one's feet? A welcome part of a hearty, healthy hang-out? Cheers, many of us would drink to all these points.
After all, a glass of spirits lifts our spirits up. There is no denying that moderate alcohol can also be good for health, reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Why is today's sassy, self-confident, power woman of today on a cocktail-quaffing spree? Drinking is a slippery slope. Jhanvi, a serious enthusiast would be the first to tell you that she likes to drink. "I sort of fixate on it." But she is quick to add, "I don't consider myself an alcoholic.I drink only on weekends. I don't binge!"
"Personally, I wonder how much fun it would be to go out to a pub with a date who was going to remain completely sober," avers Avinash, an MBA student. And here's what Aditi, a perennial pub hopper, has to say, "Why do you assume that every woman that goes to a pub is an alcoholic or drinks to excess?" A point to be noted.
Made for women
Women's enjoyment of drinking is amplified in popular culture. It is this drinking surge that has even gotten marketers working overtime creating sweet alcoholic drinks that are pitched specifically to women. Also, given the gender sensitivity to alcohol, women are apt to move more quickly across the continuum from moderate drinking to problem drinking.
Why the disparity? Pound for pound, women have less water in their bodies than men do, so the alcohol that does the rounds in their bloodstream is less diluted and corrodes their bodies more quickly.
The gender gap is closing for all ages and there is no difference in drinking behaviour. But DNA is not destiny; lifestyles and careers count, too.
At what point does drinking for relaxation veer into problem drinking? Shanti Narayan*, a media person has not experienced any negative effects from her drinking. She instead finds it therapeutic.
Strangely enough, more women think that by drinking they self-medicate negative feelings. One is forced to wonder why women drink is just as important as how much they drink. Shilpa Reddy*, who works for a multinational feels, that she is more likely to drink out of a sensation-seeking urge. Style and drinking have had a considerably intimate relationship.
There are those high-end cry-babies that think that drinking alleviates depression and in a way shakes off sexual inhibitions. Both of these common reasons make women reach for the bottle. Well, women are wise enough to make a spirited effort to draw the line between club soda, sips and chugs. As some quick-witted soul put it - alcohol is for people that can't handle reality... or, wait, no... reality is for people who can't handle alcohol.
LASYA VEMPARALA
(*Names have been changed on request.)
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