Drinking as conformity; a critique of sociological literature on occupational differences in drinking.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Sociological theories linking occupations and drinking patterns are grouped into 3 categories: according to selection theories, certain occupations attract alcoholics; according to social control theories, persons in occupations subject to low degrees of social control are more likely to become alcoholics; and according to social strain theories, occupational stresses lead to alcoholism. This emphasis on deviant drinking is criticized, and the possibility that occupational status overlaps other status affiliations, income, values, physical conditions, opportunity to drink and other variables is considered. The theory proposed as best matching the limited data available on occupational differences in drinking is that workers in certain occupations interact in their leisure time, forming subcultures in which drinking is valued and distinctive drinking customs arise. The emergence of an occupational subculture is predictable from the nature of a particular kind of work, the relationship of an occupation to a community and to social stratification, work scheduling, work conditions, facilities for nonwork activities and the sex of workers. In certain occupational subcultures, drinking, rather than being viewed as pathological, may be seen as communicative behavior symbolizing social solidarity and the situation, wealth, masculinity, identity or superiority of the group as well as reward or rejection.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: