Drinking toward Manhood

Abstract

Existing research extensively documents the health crisis in Russia and the former Soviet Union. In this article, the authors examine what historical factors set the stage for these trends and, perhaps more importantly, their origins. Specifically, the authors analyze Russian history, culture, and state ideology to explore the connections between masculinities and alcohol and to apply existing sociological theories of gender to this unique social context. The authors employ the concept of hegemonic masculinity to examine the historical dimensions of working-class drinking and its impact on Russian men’s health. The authors also identify one of the important origins of men’s harmful drinking practices by focusing on the historical construction and enactment of masculinities in two prominent social fields—the tavern and the workplace. The authors’ focus upon Russian history and culture emphasizes the sociohistorical factors associated with negative drinking patterns, and consequent health problems, among men in this part of the world.