The use of alcohol in early modern German society was prescribed by carefully
structured cultural norms. Drinking, even to the point of drunkenness, was not a
sign of insecurity and "disorder" as many historians have claimed. Rather, participation
in drinking bouts helped define and enhance men's social status. Drunkenness
was therefore tolerated among men as long as they lived up to both the rules
and norms of tavern society and the demands of their role as householder. Public
drinking was a male prerogative, and drunkenness among women was universally
condemned. Nonetheless, when alcohol abuse interfered with the household, women
could and did deploy public power to impose limits on men's drinking behaviour.
