Male Bar Drinkers' Perspective on Female Bar Drinkers - Statistical Data Included

Sex Roles: A Journal of Research,  Dec, 2000  by Kathleen A. Parks,  Douglas M. Scheidt

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Kathleen A. Parks [1]

Five focus group discussions were conducted with 34 male bar drinkers to obtain their perception of the character and risks for aggression among women they observe in bars. The majority of the men were European American (61.8%), 29.4% were African American, and 8.8% were from other ethnic groups. Their impressions of women were based on appearance, type and speed of alcohol being consumed, and behavior. Every group suggested that women who dress in a sexually provocative manner or get drunk are more likely to be perceived as "loose" or sexually "easy" by men in general. These findings are consistent with stereotypes of women drinkers as sexually promiscuous and highlight the societal double standards for men and women who drink The men described a woman calling attention to herself being alone, out late, or having contact with many men in the bar as vulnerable. These findings are similar to those found during focus group discussions with women bar drinkers (K. A. Parks, B. A. Miller, R. L. Collins, & L. M. Zetes-Zanatta, 1998).

INTRODUCTION

Recent findings suggest that the context in which a woman is seen drinking influences perceptions about her character (Parks, Miller, Collins, & Zetes-Zanatta, 1998). Alcohol is routinely consumed in private (e.g., parties, dates) and public (e.g., sporting events, restaurants, bars) social contexts. By default, the social nature of these contexts means that individuals are interpreting and then responding to each others' behavior. Our interpretation of other individual's behavior is largely based on experience, which can include culturally ingrained perceptions (i.e., stereotypes) about specific behaviors and people. Research suggests that perceptions of others and responses to their behavior, particularly behavioral cues perceived as sexual interest or threat, can be intensified by alcohol consumption (e.g., Abbey, McAuslan, & Ross, 1998; Collins, 1988; Hull & Bond, 1986).

At the present time, limited empirical data exist about men and women's perceptions of each other in the social drinking context of bars. Parks et al. (1998) found that women bar drinkers often described other women they observed in bars as sexually provocative and looking for a sexual encounter. These women described women who behaved in this fashion as being at greater risk for experiencing bar-related aggression and provided general descriptions of aggression women experience in bars. They also believed that men perceive women who are drinking in bars as more sexually available than women who are not drinking in bars.

Stereotypes of women drinkers as more sexual are well documented in the literature (e.g., Blume, 1991; Wilsnack, 1991). Both historically and in contemporary society the drinking woman is seen as having poor character and being more promiscuous (see Blume, 1991, for a review). However, these stereotypes about women drinkers are not supported by self-report data. Although many women admit to feeling that their sexual inhibitions are lowered by alcohol, far fewer report engaging in behaviors that would suggest that alcohol increases their promiscuity. Wilsnack (1991) found that 60% of women drinkers who participated in a national survey felt that drinking lowered their sexual inhibitions; however, only 22% felt they had ever been "sexually forward" and only 8% felt they had been "less particular" about choosing a sexual partner as a result of drinking alcohol.

ALCOHOL AND PERCEIVED SEXUAL INTEREST

The idea that alcohol facilitates sexual activity has been reported among both genders and further serves to promote stereotypes about drinking women. Both men and women rate a conversational partner as more sexual after consuming a moderate dose of alcohol themselves (Abbey, Zawacki, & McAuslan, 1998). Furthermore, men and women believe that sexual activity is more likely with alcohol consumption (Corcoran & Thomas, 1991),and when presented with descriptions of a man and a woman drinking, perceive the drinking woman as more sexual than the drinking man (George, Cue, Lopez, Crowe, & Norris, 1995; George, Gournic, & McAfee, 1988). The perception of the woman as more sexual was enhanced when the man was described as paying for the alcohol (George et al., 1988). These findings appear to support gender stereotypes of men as able to "hold" their liquor and women as unable to handle the effects of alcohol. Furthermore, it appears that both genders have incorporated the old adage that "candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker" for obtaining a woman's affections as a truism.

Alcohol has been associated with sexual assault, particularly date rape. In a study by Kanin (1984), two thirds of self-admitted date rapists indicated that alcohol played a causal role in the assault. It is likely that expectations about sexual encounters and gender roles are enhanced in the bar environment due to both alcohol consumption and the common practice of men paying for women's drinks. Indeed, Cornett and Shuntich (1991) found that men believe that sexual aggression is more justifiable in a relationship in which the male has been paying all dating expenses compared with sharing expenses. This finding suggests that the practice of men buying drinks for women in bars may increase the risk of sexual aggression by lending support to gender role stereotypes. When a woman accepts a drink from a man, this may be interpreted by the man as sexual interest and deference to his role as the provider, thus raising expectations about the possibility that the evening will end in a sexual liaison.