The Sexual Evolution of the Alpha and Beta Male

by Lisbeth Eng

A romance novel hero is a writer’s perception of a sexually attractive male. Though true love involves nobler emotions, sexuality is largely governed by biology. Human beings are essentially animals, albeit ones with large brains and opposable thumbs. What drives us to mate is the primal instinct to procreate and pass on our DNA to the next generation. We are genetically programmed to seek out partners who will help us produce and raise healthy offspring.

In designing our hero, we should consider what traits our heroine would find appealing. If we look to science for clues, numerous studies confirm that hormone levels subconsciously drive attraction. For the female, her monthly cycle and the complex and conflicting needs of producing offspring trigger her choice of mate. During her most fertile period, a woman is attracted to a man she perceives as physically powerful and virile – the alpha male. His children will inherit genes for survival in a perilous world: the strength and dominance needed to combat danger, especially from competing males. Yet during her less fertile days, studies have shown that women are drawn to men with nurturing, “feminine” qualities – the dependable nice guy – the beta male. There is an evolutionary, biological basis for this, too. Unlike many of our more distant animal relatives, human babies are helpless for years after birth. Having two devoted parents increases their chances of survival. The mother benefits from having a long-term partner who will share in childcare responsibilities. A less aggressive male may be more likely to stick around and help, rather than to wander off and prowl for opportunities to pass on his genes to as many other females as he can.

So why do most heroes of romance novels fit the cliché of the alpha male? He is almost always muscular, tall (honestly, how many five and a half foot heroes have you read?) and of high social status (all those Regency marquises and contemporary tycoons). The proverbial strong, silent type. Is this because we romance writers assume that is the sort of hero our readers (most of whom are female) idealize as the perfect man? Do the hormone levels of the writer and what day it is in her cycle influence the temperament of her characters? Are female writers who are past their childbearing years more likely to write beta males? (Sorry, guys, but the vast majority of RWA members are women.) Perhaps a study could be done to correlate the hormonal cycles of female romance writers with their most “fertile” writing days!

A well-written hero must be flawed, so where does the alpha male most likely need improvement? Romance heroes often harbor a haunting secret or past misdeed. The dark, brooding alpha male needs the nurturing female to tame his wild side, to heal his wounded psyche, to humanize him and thus satisfy the heroine’s maternal impulse.

But what about the beta male? As discussed above, studies have proven the attractiveness of nurturing males. There are certainly women who find the warm, open, caring man an appealing partner, yet he seldom appears in romance novels. Must every hero be moody and aggressive?

I propose that we abandon the alpha and beta stereotypes and create the supreme hybrid: the gamma male. (If you’ve forgotten your Greek alphabet, that’s the letter after alpha and beta.) He would be physically powerful but sensitive and considerate. His strong hands could disable any foe, but give a soothing back rub, as well. A man to fulfill every desire – to stimulate a woman’s urges any day of the month.

To substantiate my hypothesis, I need your feedback in the polls at the right. Please select your candidate for the archetypal alpha, beta and gamma heroes. If these choices do not exemplify your ideal, feel free to comment with your own selection.

BIO:

Lisbeth Eng’s first novel, a World War II romance entitled In the Arms of the Enemy, is due to be released by The Wild Rose Press in 2010. An English major in college, Lisbeth has also studied Italian, German and French. Lisbeth is a native New Yorker and has worked as a registered representative in the finance industry for the past 25 years. Visit her at www.lisbetheng.com.