The Influence of Patriarchy on Elder Female Substance Abuse

In order to understand the problem of substance abuse in older women, it is necessary to explore the political, social, and cultural factors that contribute to this social problem. Feminist theory points us to the pervasive impact of women living their lives in a patriarchal society, and illuminates how “sexism and female oppression seem intimately tied to women’s substance abuse” (Nichols, 1985).