Young Women's Social Drinking in Context—Pub Style: A Study of Decision Making and Social Drinking of Young Women in Urban South Australia

Abstract

Alcohol now plays a significant role in young women's socializing, as it does for a majority of Australians. The majority of adult drinkers consume alcohol within responsible limits, but binge drinking is very common among young people under 30 years of age. This is particularly true for young women, but there has been little systematic research into the dynamics of their social drinking experiences. This ethnographic study in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia, provides focused information about the particular decision making, socializing, drinking styles and hotel preferences of young drinking women ages 18–30. Implications exist for further research, and improved health promotion, service provision and harm-reduction strategies for this group are proposed.