The American Alpha male

[Estro Felino]

What do you guys think of the archetype of the American Alpha male?
Like Robert Downing Junior...a man who knows what he wants?

I am noticing that in the last decade this archetype has always been vilified and ignored on mainstream media and in movies.

 

[Debater Slayer]

What do you guys think of the archetype of the American Alpha male?

What I think of any archetype of an "alpha male" is that it is a pseudoscientific and toxic notion. There are no objective criteria whereby we can determine who is or isn't an "alpha male," and more often than not, I see that term being used to glorify toxic traits (e.g., hostility, jealousy, and possessiveness), put others down, and stroke egos rather than define any valid psychological concept.

 

[Debater Slayer]

I am noticing that in the last decade this archetype has always been vilified and ignored on mainstream media and in movies.

I see this as a good sign, because it indicates that many societies are moving past outdated and harmful behavioral stereotypes, albeit at different paces.

 

[Debater Slayer]

I'm reminded of this:

 

[Viker]

The alpha male is a myth.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

What I think of any archetype of an "alpha male" is that it is a pseudoscientific and toxic notion. There are no objective criteria whereby we can determine who is or isn't an "alpha male," and more often than not, I see that term being used to glorify toxic traits (e.g., hostility, jealousy, and possessiveness), put others down, and stroke egos rather than define any valid psychological concept.

Wolf packs are families.

In wolves, to the extent that the alpha male is real at all, the "alphas" of the pack are the parents, and the other members of the pack are their children.

The human equivalent of an alpha wolf is a parent waiting for the bus with two kids, keeping them happy and satisfied with a bag full of goldfish crackers and juice pouches.

 

[Viker]

What do you guys think of the archetype of the American Alpha male?
Like Robert Downing Junior...a man who knows what he wants?

I am noticing that in the last decade this archetype has always been vilified and ignored on mainstream media and in movies.

What is the alpha male to you?

 

[Estro Felino]

I see this as a good sign, because it indicates that many societies are moving past outdated and harmful behavioral stereotypes, albeit at different paces.

A heterosexual woman usually doesn't feel attraction towards beta males...
at least...I don't.
And neither do my best friends.

 

[Estro Felino]

What is the alpha male to you?

The one that makes the first move, that always kindles the passion of the relationship, that loves the submissive woman (submissive as me for example).

 

[Debater Slayer]

A heterosexual woman usually doesn't feel attraction towards beta males...

1) How is a "beta male" supposed to be defined?

2) What is your source for the above claim? Do you have any studies about women's attitudes toward different types of men, for instance? And in which country or countries?

at least...I don't.
And my neither do my best friends.

Anecdotes don't hold up as reliable evidence of society-wide trends without systematic supporting evidence (e.g., studies and surveys).

 

[Debater Slayer]

[...] that loves the submissive woman (like me for example).

In other words, you're partially defining an "alpha male" based on a romantic preference that sometimes overlaps with a sexual fetish.

I'm not even sure discussing something so flimsy would be worthwhile.

 

[PureX]

Here in the US, we have many disguises for our selfishness ... freedom, individualism, machismo, ambition, success, leadership, ... ; all considered positive values for people (mostly men) to pursue.

 

[Estro Felino]

Here in the US, we have many disguises for our selfishness ... freedom, individualism, machismo, ambition, success, leadership, ... ; all considered positive values for people (mostly men) to pursue.

I would focus on American women's femininity and how they expect men to be.
I have a gynocentric vision of life: it all revolves around women. It's women who have the task to shape men's mindset.

 

[Stevicus]

What do you guys think of the archetype of the American Alpha male?
Like Robert Downing Junior...a man who knows what he wants?

I am noticing that in the last decade this archetype has always been vilified and ignored on mainstream media and in movies.

I never could understand society's fascination with the guy and why they were so forgiving of his criminal acts. I remember seeing him in Back to School with Rodney Dangerfield. That's the only movie I associate with him.

This scene probably comes closer to American perceptions of "alpha males":

 

[PureX]

I would focus on American women's femininity and how they expect men to be.
I have a gynocentric vision of life: it all revolves around women. It's women who have the task to shape men's mindset.

Selfishness isn't a male or female trait. It's a human trait that we are all responsible for. Isolation is just an inevitable result of it.

 

[Stevicus]

What I think of any archetype of an "alpha male" is that it is a pseudoscientific and toxic notion. There are no objective criteria whereby we can determine who is or isn't an "alpha male," and more often than not, I see that term being used to glorify toxic traits (e.g., hostility, jealousy, and possessiveness), put others down, and stroke egos rather than define any valid psychological concept.

I've come across this kind of talk here and there on the interwebs. "Alpha males" are portrayed as the cream of the crop - aggressive, tough, dominant, natural leaders, and the typical "hero" of the story (although they can often be the "villain"). The "beta males" are those who are quietly working in the background, outside of the limelight, yet remain the "glue" that holds civilized society together, even if they might be seen as "doormats" and "wimps." Along the same lines, I've heard other greek letters used in this context, such as "sigma males" and "omega males." The omegas are at the bottom.

 

[Estro Felino]

Selfishness isn't a male or female trait. It's a human trait that we are all responsible for. Isolation is just an inevitable result of it.

I am discussing masculinity and femininity.

 

[Estro Felino]

I've come across this kind of talk here and there on the interwebs. "Alpha males" are portrayed as the cream of the crop - aggressive, tough, dominant, natural leaders, and the typical "hero" of the story (although they can often be the "villain"). The "beta males" are those who are quietly working in the background, outside of the limelight, yet remain the "glue" that holds civilized society together, even if they might be seen as "doormats" and "wimps." Along the same lines, I've heard other greek letters used in this context, such as "sigma males" and "omega males." The omegas are at the bottom.

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Honestly I prefer the sigma males. They are usually chubby and shy men. I love them.

 

[Estro Felino]

I never could understand society's fascination with the guy and why they were so forgiving of his criminal acts. I remember seeing him in Back to School with Rodney Dangerfield. That's the only movie I associate with him.

This scene probably comes closer to American perceptions of "alpha males":

Honestly I think that women in America tend to emulate men.
And often tend to become even more masculine than men themselves.
Because it's all about success and control.

 

[PureX]

I am discussing masculinity and femininity.

Yes, but you are assuming that it results from how women treat men. Here in the US, I think it result more from how people; men and women, treat each other. And that is based on a long standing and ongoing culture of competition and consumption pretending to be virtuous when it's not. Women are as much victims of this as men are. And we're all responsible for it. And for the isolation and depravity that results from it.