Structure and symbolism of alcohol consumption for women prostitutes in Bolivia
International studies on alcohol consumption call for a gender specific frame of analysis. They furthermore highlight the variation in consumption patterns according to different roles attributed to women. When considering prostitution as another social role, the present article brings us to think of the positive symbolic value of alcohol consumption in the definition of womanhood. Data collected during field work in Bolivia allows us to suggest the hypothesis that this consumption redefines the relationship of women prostitutes with their clients and their relation to sexual activity. It subsequently allows these women to distance themselves from the stigmatizing attributes of their work and to join the ranks of honourable women. This discussion brings us to think of alcohol consumption independently from drug use and to go further than its sociosanitary aspects, to consequently focus on the subjective meaning that such an individual, social and cultural activity may have.