Alcohol Consumption Patterns in Immigrant and Later Generation Mexican American Women

Abstract

Using data from a re-analysis of a 1976 survey of alcohol patterns among Latinos in California as a basis of comparison this article summarizes what is known about the drinking practices of immigrant Mexican women. Immigrant Mexican women's alcohol-related practices are compared with those of women in several pertinent groups: Mexicans in Mexico, other U.S. Latinas and, most particularly, later generation Mexican American women. Immigrant women s drinking is also contrasted with that of their male counterparts. Evidence that increased drinking among U.S.-born women of Mexican heritage takes place in a context of culture change and acculturation is reviewed. Finally, changes in the direction of greater permissiveness and rationalization of alcohol use among later generationi Mexican American women are demonstrated.