The term silent majority is a buzz word that gets tossed about in the political arena, but I happened to think the term more aptly applies to our alcohol culture, and women. I suspect that there are tribes of otherwise brave women out there who don’t embrace the alcohol scene—especially when babies and small children are involved. I suspect that there may be an even larger majority of women who are sadden by what they see, but they’re afraid if they speak-up someone will accuse them of being a dud: Who wants to fend off the look of disdain from the friends who think it’s their absolute right and their well-deserved reward in an otherwise hectic life—to drink wine on every occasion. And, I mean every occasion.
I believe there are otherwise brave warriors who inwardly flinch when they see their friends arrange play dates for their toddles as an excuse to imbibe, and mothers with adult daughters reconnect over bottles of wine. Surely, we can’t have a problem, they undoubtedly think, since we don’t drink alone—not yet anyway. I believe there are a whole posse of women who are fed-up with the drinking culture, and loss of self-respect is not their end game, but they see no way out of the madness unless they break ties and acquire new friends—yet that feels scary too.
I am convinced there are communities of women who would rather not have wine invited along on every occasion, but the fear of being ostracized wins out—so they put their heads down and plow through the madness wishing someone, anyone will stop to ask, what are we doing? Do any of us know?
I know there are women out there who cringe when a friend cries for their support because the marriage went sour, their kids turned out to be ungrateful brats, or alcoholics themselves, and they can’t seem to shake the feeling of gloom that clings to their spirit like stale smoke cleaves to clothes—all of this sadness pouring out over more cocktails that are far too often the culprit behind all of the sorrow.
Maybe it’s time to rethink the drink. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate what’s important and look for other, healthier ways to fill our time than to sit around in drinking, all the while justifying an activity that for more and more women will be the demise of their relationships, their health, and their sanity. It’s never too late for change.