Familial studies of alcoholism were reviewed to evaluate the role of sex of parent and offspring in alcoholism transmission. Data from 32 familial alcoholism studies were evaluated by meta-analysis. The results indicated that both male and female alcoholic patients more frequently come from homes in which their father, rather than their mother, is alcoholic, even when sex differences in alcoholism prevalence rates are taken into account. Although female offspring of alcoholic mothers show alcoholism rates that are elevated relative to those expected in the general population, male offspring of alcoholic mothers do not.