First Drinking Experiences and Present Drinking Patterns: A Male-Female Comparison

Abstract

The authors predicted that sex roles in America would contribute to variation between male and female alcoholics in first drinking experiences and current drinking patterns. Moderate support for this hypothesis was observed. Though first drinking experiences were found to be very similar for males and females, females reported a significantly longer period of time between their first and second drinks of an alcoholic beverage. Females were significantly more likely to have consumed their first alcoholic beverage with family members, while males more commonly were with friends. Beer was the most frequently consumed beverage of the first drinking occasion for both sexes; the second most popular beverage among men was whiskey, while women chose mixed drinks. Regarding current drinking patterns, men drank significantly more often than women. The differences pertaining to general drinking pattern (drinking daily, several times a week, or on weekends, or engaging in binge drinking) approached significance.

The Perceived Bitterness of Beer and 6‐n‐Propylthiouracil (PROP) Taste Sensitivity

“…One possibility for the etiology of alcoholism is that nontasters do not find alcoholic beverages as bitter as tasters and/or supertasters do and are therefore more willing to start drinking and to drink large amounts of alcoholic beverages. Several studies have shown that beer is the preferred alcoholic beverage for younger drinkers and was the first alcoholic beverage consumed when alcoholics began drinking 4‐6. The present study attempted to determine whether PROP tasting status would influence the subjects' judgements of the taste of beer or their liking for beer.…”