Global Journal of Health Science; Vol. 11, No. 2; 2019 ISSN 1916-9736 E-ISSN 1916-9744 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 92 Alcohol Consumption Patterns: A Gender Comparative Study Among High School Youth in South Africa Prudence Mafa 1 , Jabulani Calvin Makhubele 1 , Janetta Agnes Ananias 2 , Beatrice Namoonga Chilwalo 2 , Frans Koketso Matlakala 1 , Selelo Frank Rapholo 1 , Anesu Svinurai 1 , Miriam Winnie Hasheela 2 , Ndanyakuwa Ilonga Hamuse Tiberia 2 & Rachel Johanna Freeman 2 1 University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1108, Sovenga, South Africa 2 University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia Correspondence: Prof JC Makhubele, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1108, Sovenga 0727, South Africa. Received: November 21, 2018 Accepted: January 10, 2019 Online Published: January 16, 2019 doi:10.5539/gjhs.v11n2p92 URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v11n2p92 Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the alcohol drinking patterns among young male and female alcohol drinkers. Method: Data were collected though a questionnaire from 71 grade 11 learners who expressed that they had had an alcoholic drink in the preceding month. 62% of the respondents were male and the remaining 38% was represented by female learners. The data collected was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). Results: This study showed that young people begin using alcohol at a relatively young age. Furthermore, male drinkers have an earlier alcohol debut than their female counterparts. Beer, cider and wine were the most consumed beverages, with males more inclined to drink beer and females gravitating towards drinking wine. There was an even split between ciders in the study, with the majority of both male and female respondents indicating that their drink of choice was cider. Weekends are the most opportune moments for the youth to consume alcohol. Holidays are also earmarked by the youth to engage in alcohol consumption. Conclusion: The results show that the age of alcohol debut is as low as 8 years for males and 10 years for females. Males have a higher prevalence of alcohol use than females. There is however no difference in binge drinking between the two gender as binge drinking and drinking to get drunk are the preferred methods of alcohol consumption for both genders. Keywords: youth, alcohol consumption patterns, gender, binge drinking 1. Introduction The act of alcohol drinking by young people has steadily increased over the years. While males are reported to be most likely to drink alcohol more than females (Onya & Flisher, 2008; Owo, 2013), research has shown that the gender gap in alcohol consumption behaviour, particularly binge drinking, is narrowing (Ramsoomar & Morojele, 2012). According to Schulte, Ramo, and Brown, (2009) the reduction of the gap between the two gender variables in terms of alcohol use can be attributed to an increase in opportunities for women which allow them to perform roles traditionally set aside for men, enabling and encouraging them to drink more. During the pre-colonial era, alcohol was consumed mainly during special occasions and was usually preserved for elders and prominent members of society including traditional leaders. Alcohol consumption was thus rare among youth and women of childbearing age (Peltzer & Ramlagan, 2007). Studying the effects of gender on alcohol use assist societies in properly addressing alcohol abuse by dispelling false assumptions about male or female drinking behaviour. Schulte, Ramo, and Brown (2009) warn against assuming that women do not drink heavily as this assumption may lead to women’s drinking problems being overlooked or underestimated, while associating heavy drinking with masculinity may lead to minimization of problem drinking by male drinkers. It has been reported that women do not react to alcohol as men do. Gunasekara and Wilson, (2010) indicate that women start to experience alcohol-related problem at a higher rate than men as women have less water in their bodies as compared to men, thus making women get drunk more quickly than men do. This also increases women’s risk to alcohol harm.