"In most of the cultures...the primary image is a positive one. Usually drinking is viewed as an important adjunct to sociability. Almost as often, it is seen as a relatively inexpensive and effective relaxant, or as an important accompaniment to food.... Its use in religions is ancient, and reflects social approval rather than scorn.... Most people in the United States, Canada, and Sweden, when asked what emotions they associate with drinking, responded favorably, emphasizing personal satisfactions of relaxation, social values of sociability, an antidote to fatigue, and other positive features...."Heath, D.B., "Some Generalizations about Alcohol and Culture," pp. 348-361 in Heath, D.B., ed., International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture, Greenwood Press, Westport, CT, 1995, p. 350-351.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Some Generalizations about Alcohol and Culture
Throughout history, wine and other alcoholic beverages have been a source of pleasure and aesthetic appreciation in many cultures.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Jeanne, I agree/ disagree with you on this topic. Yes people like to drink for relaxation and more but I think a lot of people look at alcohol as a negative negative to our society because of drunk driving and under age drinking and more. Im surprised this is a fact but you have the source, very interesting.
ReplyDeletegreat blog jeanne! i'm a follower now!
ReplyDeleteJeanne i can look at this post going both ways. on the positive side people drink socially and not out to just drunk there face off but just to have a few with friends. it also can go to the extreme of drinking until nothing makes scene to the person and stupid stuff happens. its an eye opening post for sure.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, I found this generalizatio about alcohol and culture interesting. In the culture I grew up in drinking alcohol was used to deal with oppression, poverty and racism. This in turn contributed to such problems as broken homes, domestic violence, people living in poverty and continued hopelessness.
ReplyDeleteThis is very true, in my opinion, about alcoholism and cultural diversity. The quote is dead on about the sociological views on drinking. Both alcohol and culture bring people together both in their culture and those outside their comfort zones.
ReplyDeleteWhen gathering, drinks are always there. I believe it helps release tension and accompanies food as you stated above. Drinking is a positive gestor when its controlled.
ReplyDeleteI think that alocohol has a bad influence on American culture. I know that in Europe, many countries have a drinking age that is lower than 21. The reason for that is because Europeans do not abuse alcohol like Americans do. America has so many DUI arrests as well as people being killed by drunk drivers. Drinking can be done socially but in college it is abused.
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with this. Alcohol, when used in moderation, can be a great way to bring people together to socialize. Unfortunately, some people today only drink to get drunk and that can cause problems. They can get in fights with people or get behind the wheel and endanger the lives of everyone else on the road.
ReplyDelete