In gender-focused discussions of alcohol and other drug use and proble
ms, the emphasis has usually been on the individual male or female or
on the genders as aggregates of individuals. But most drinking and muc
h drug use have strong social and interactional elements, where gender
roles and often gendered interactions come into play. Drawing on the
existing literature, opportunities for research on gender roles and in
teractions in drinking and drug use and problems are discussed under t
he following headings: courtship and affectional preference; sexuality
; marriage and partnership; parenthood; friendship and peer relations;
work roles; informal social control (spouse, relatives, friends); and
domination, violence, and abuse.