BEYOND LIVER AND CULTURE - A REVIEW OF THEORIES AND RESEARCH IN DRINKING AMONG CHINESE IN NORTH-AMERICA

Low levels of alcohol consumption and drinking problems have been cons istently found among the Chinese in North America and in other Chinese societies. Two theories of Chinese drinking have been popular in the literature. First, the physiological explanation attributes the light alcohol use among the Chinese to their high propensity to flush, which protects them from heavy drinking. Second, the cultural explanation s uggests that Chinese cultural values emphasizing moderation and self-r estraint discourage drinking to the point of drunkenness. A review of existing research shows that both explanations are not supported by ad equate empirical research findings and are plagued with conceptual and methodological shortcomings. It is also noted that both theories cann ot explain why some Chinese do become heavy or problem drinkers. It is suggested that we should look beyond physiological and cultural facto rs for a better understanding of contemporary Chinese drinking pattern s.