An investigation of the family background data of a large sample of alcoholics indicated that a difference in birth rank reflects the presence or absence of early parental deprivation. This suggested that birth rank as an independent variable was not relevant to the etiology of alcoholism.The investigation also showed that female alcoholics sustained parental losses during early childhood much more frequently than male alcoholics. The latter finding—in conjunction with the data of other investigators on parental loss and psychosis— stimulated some speculation as to the differential importance of parental loss for each sex and suggestions for further research in this area.Abstract Teaser