Ignore the booze-shaming, ladies

Source: The Hill

By Sarah Longwell, managing director of the American Beverage Institute

11/07/16

Last week was Halloween, but the scariest part of the day was Karin Agness’ column telling women to “put down the glass” because we now consume alcohol at levels on par with our male American counterparts.

Women have found their footing as equally consenting consumers? Egad.

The puritanical thinking reflects a misguided but growing trend against alcohol. Government agencies that have long recommended moderate consumption of alcohol as part of a healthy lifestyle are suddenly changing their tune – although moderate alcohol consumption’s ability to mitigate the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes remains the same.

Instead, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns women of reproducing age to abstain from alcohol entirely, lest having a glass of wine carry the risk of s–ually transmitted disease or unintended pregnancy. The agency also adopts a one-sip-over-the-line policy, so that women consuming one glass of wine each evening is acceptable, but those who elect for a second on Saturday have waded into “problem drinker” territory.

Women choosing to enjoy a martini “popularized in mass culture” (we’re looking at you, Carrie Bradshaw) won’t ignite a public health apocalypse. Medical advancements have empowered women and men alike to take control of their health in ways unseen in the 20th century.

There’s no reason for women to skip happy hour, but they could certainly do without the condescension.

From Sarah Longwell, managing director of the American Beverage Institute, Washington, D.C.