In my culture and in my parents generation - it was mostly the men doing the drinking and any woman was was seen drinking was frowned down on or even called derogatory names - in my generation the changes are speeding up from it being okay for women to imbibe drinks in social situations (not hard liquor mind you but sweet wines or champagnes... you get the idea) - but then again there is a lot of pressure for everyone to try these drinks and if one declines then one is looked upon as a prude - oh well....