Findings show that gender differences in three indicators of drinking problems are largest among children whose parents are episodically or chronically unemployed. Gender ratios are smaller for children of workers, managers, and owners. These patterns persist after substituting a delinquency index for the drinking problem scales. Gender differences in the unemployed population for drinking-related incidents are accounted for by parents' weak control on boys. Attenuated parental supervision does not mitigate gender differences in other occupational groups, suggesting a unique work-related gender influence on drinking behavior. Possible sources of differential gender and class bias in the drinking scales are discussed. (Author abstract)