Mexican farmworker women's perspectives on drinking in a migrant community

Abstract

Alcohol use in farmworker communities has not been investigated to any extent. The literature on alcohol consumption and farmworkers is virtually nonexistent. This case study provides information on drinking patterns and problems in a Mexican farmworker community in Northern California. The focus is on Mexican farmworker women's perspectives on drinking in a specific social context: A migrant farmworker housing center. Male responses are provided as a basis for comparison and contrast. The study examines issues related to driving under the influence, public versus private space, and the centrality of considerations regarding children/youth in setting acceptable parameters for drinking. Data collection consisted of observations and 29 interviews of men (13) and women (16) farmworkers over a 6-month period in 1991. We found that most of the women in the camp abstain from drinking. They define male drinking as a problem when 1) youth are allowed and encouraged to drink, 2) an increase of individuals driving under the influence in the housing center becomes evident, and 3) when drinkers serve as poor role models for youth.