Originally I was going to write about how Beta males are
treated by our society. I was using the Beta as used when discussing wolves,
canines, and primates. The problem is the terms Alpha Males and Beta Males have
been corrupted when referring to human males. In the Animal Kingdom and alpha
is a leader. No true leader would care about what other thought of them or
fitting someone else’s molds. The whole Alpha male phenomenon is used to excuse
bad behavior. The whole Beta male concept feed into an Us versus Them
mentality, instead of solving the toxic masculinity we have in this society.
The idea that an Alpha male is the macho jock type or
corporate raider type is a misnomer. It is a false construct created to excuse
bad behavior. Look at the Stanford Rapist. He was presented at the one who was
unfairly treated by our system. The victim was treated like she did not matter.
This tends to happen with affluent “alpha” male types. The alphas are the more
confident types, A type personalities, overachievers, the socially adept ones
who fit in to the stereotypes of gender roles.
The betas are allegedly the less confident, the more intellectual,
and passive types. The funny thing is the way human society acts they are
treated more the traditional omega from wolves, canines, and primates. The Beta
is also used to mean weak, submissive types, especially in certain human
sub-cultures. In those social orders, the beta is the second in command. They
are more supportive, but that is a role. In those orders the beta is the heir
to the alpha position should anything happen to the alpha. In that manner the
metaphor does not work as humans use it. The whole Alpha and Beta male
dichotomy in humans is used to excuse bad behavior by the so-called Alpha
males. It is their nature so therefore no their fault. The types of crimes that
are excused by these people being labeled Alpha Males is terrifying, rape,
murder, white collar crimes, domestic abuse, sexual harassment and so on.
Interesting enough, the so-called Alpha Males are rarely any socio-economic
level lower than middle-middle class. They are almost always Caucasian,
Heterosexual, and Cis-Gendered.
To me it seems the concept is used to keep the status quo,
give the rank and file in our society the idea that leaders can only be certain
types. These types of people are threatened and we are seeing their last gasps
for control. In this system control is gained by keeping those with no power
divided. The concept is also rooted to a toxic view of masculinity. One of the
fallacies in that concept is that male sexuality is inherently predatory. That
includes the idea males cannot control their sexual urges. Sentencing of sex
crimes is also tied up in socio-economic politics. Suspects from middle
middle-class backgrounds or higher are more likely to get lighter sentences.
Where as suspects of color or people of lower middle class backgrounds or lower
are more like to get harsher sentencing.
The problem is the toxic masculinity in this country seems
also tied to socio-economics and race too. These rules are meant to protect
those in power ad excuse their bad behavior. They will ridicule and discount
anyone who does not fit their narrow view of masculinity. That has only
perpetuated a culture that is toxic. They are also resistant to change. The
funny thing is two groups most affected by this toxic masculinity are kept at each
other’s throats. They are stuck in a dichotomy. Those groups are the Feminist
and Men’s Rights groups. The powers that be are the cause to both their woes.
The powers that be fear a coming together of both groups, so they push the more
radical elements of both group against each other.
