Changing lifestyles

The past couple of decades have seen the rise of a class of professionals in their 20s and
30s who typically have high disposable incomes and few responsibilities.

The rise of women in paid employment and the corresponding increase in disposable
income has fuelled the increase in alcohol consumption. Young women -those without
family responsibilities- seem best able to fund the habit.

The tendency towards "extended youth" -people putting off marriage and children- may
well have contributed towards the trend of higher consumption of alcohol, among both
women and men.

Taken from:

http://www.cuentoseningles.com.ar/articles/women/womenandbooze.html