During the last decades, scholars have discussed the changes of Swedish alcohol culture. Among other things, it has been suggested that parallel with increased consumption levels men’s and women’s drinking is becoming more similar. In connection with this discussion, the purpose of this thesis is to examine Swedish alcohol culture(s) by analysing the meanings that focus groups from different generations ascribe to drinking in relation to different life periods: childhood, adolescence and adulthood. More specifically, it aims to analyse how the interviewees specify and negotiate normative boundaries and self-presentations in relation to norms and discourses of gender and age. An essential part of the analysis is to examine differences within gender and age-groups, as well as the similarities between them. The findings suggest that even though drinking patterns are changing in terms of quantity and choice of beverage, meanings, motives and norms seem to be rather stable – especially in regard to gender. Overall, a distinction is being made between men and women: Femininity is constructed in terms of control, responsibility and caring, and masculinity in terms of fearlessness, breaking of boundaries, and loss of control. Men’s and women’s drinking are also accounted for in different ways. While men’s drinking behaviours are excused with arguments about biology and hormones, women’s (anticipated) responsibility is explained with their connection to motherhood. However; these norms vary in strength and are expressed in different ways, depending on the drinking norms of different life-periods; mainly moderate in childhood and adulthood, and mainly orientated to binge-drinking in adolescence. With regard to positive meanings ascribed to drinking, similarities between age and gender groups are also generally greater than the differences between them. Thus, gendered differences are mainly constructed in relation to behaviours that are perceived as risky or problematic.

This thesis is aimed at getting a better understanding of drinking games as a social phenomenon. Data has been collected in form of individual interviews with five students that has been taken part of drinking games. The focus of this study is to understand what function the games and the drinking they involve have for the students. Randal Collins theory of interactional rituals combined with Robert Mertons concept of sociological ambivalence is applied to analyze how the students construct meaning relating to the phenomenon drinking games. The results indicate that the games serve as a gathering point at a social event, and provides a way for participants to interact and socialize that eases the otherwise uncomfortable feeling that can be experienced when meeting new people. The alcohol seems to have a central role in the games as an investment for the players, at the same time as it helps them to get  intoxicated. The games thereby become a convenient solution for the partying students that wants to get drunk and socialize together. But the ritualistic perspective also helps to uncover two secret rules that must be followed to take part of the ritual in the “right” way.

No description available.