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'''Alpha/Beta/Omega''' or '''Alpha/Omega''' (occasionally '''Alpha/Beta''') is a [[kink]] [[trope]] wherein some or all people have defined biological roles based on a [[Dominance Hierarchy|hierarchical system]], with the terms arbitrary and contrary to  animal behaviour research.  

'''Alpha/Beta/Omega''' or '''Alpha/Omega''' (occasionally '''Alpha/Beta''') is a [[kink]] [[trope]] wherein some or all people have defined biological roles based on a [[Dominance Hierarchy|hierarchical system]], with the terms originating from animal behaviour research. There may be [[werewolf]], [[knotting]], or other animalistic elements involved, or the characters may be otherwise purely human.

The term is generally written with slashes (a/b/o). Many fans, particularly ones from Australia and New Zealand, are uncomfortable seeing the term without slashes because it is also an Australian slur for aboriginal people.<ref>[https://twitter.com/fairestcat/status/1264276111644557319] fairestcat on Twitter, May 23, 2020</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/tomatocarnage/status/1264583900728180736?s=20] tomatocarnage replying to fairestcat on Twitter, May 24, 2020</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/lydia_petze/status/1264354720228864000?s=20] lydia_petze replying to fairestcat on twitter, May 23, 2020</ref>

The term is generally written with slashes (a/b/o). Many fans, particularly ones from Australia and New Zealand, are uncomfortable seeing the term without slashes because it is also an Australian slur for aboriginal people.<ref>[https://twitter.com/fairestcat/status/1264276111644557319] fairestcat on twitter, May 23, 2020</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/tomatocarnage/status/1264583900728180736?s=20] tomatocarnage replying to fairestcat on twitter, May 24, 2020</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/lydia_petze/status/1264354720228864000?s=20] lydia_petze replying to fairestcat on twitter, May 23, 2020</ref>

==Basic Elements==

==Basic Elements==

'''Alphas''' are generally dominant and able to impregnate Omegas. Male Alphas usually have a [[knotting|knot]] when aroused. In some works, female Alphas are also able to impregnate others; some will temporarily grow a penis to do so, or their vulva will permanently grow into one when they present.

'''Alphas''' are generally dominant and able to impregnate Omegas. Male Alphas usually have a [[knotting|knot]] when aroused. In some works, female Alphas are also able to impregnate others; some will temporarily grow a penis to do so, or their vulva will permanently grow into one when they present.

'''Betas''' are subordinate to Alphas and may or may not be able to impregnate Omegas; in some fanworks Betas aren't present and the trope is known as Alpha/Omega, in others, they take the role and functions of Omegas and Omegas aren't present. Betas are often presented as having "normal" human anatomy, with none of the special attributes of Alphas or Omegas, or as peacemakers between Alphas and Omegas.

'''Betas''' are subordinate to Alphas and may or may not be able to impregnate Omegas; in some fanworks Betas aren't present and the trope is known as Alpha/Omega, in others they take the role and functions of Omegas and Omegas aren't present. Betas are often presented as having "normal" human anatomy, with none of the special attributes of Alphas or Omegas, or as peacemakers between Alphas and Omegas.

'''Omegas''' are generally lowest on the hierarchy (although in some fanworks Omegas are rare and prized). Male Omegas are self-[[lubrication|lubricating]] and have the ability to become [[Mpreg|pregnant]], sometimes referred to as being bred or mated. Omegas are often considered the most fragile of the hierarchy, with frailer bodies and painful presentations. Male omegas are especially subject to fertility issues, miscarriages, and difficult pregnancies.

'''Omegas''' are generally lowest on the hierarchy (although in some fanworks Omegas are rare and prized). Male Omegas are self-[[lubrication|lubricating]] and have the ability to become [[Mpreg|pregnant]], sometimes referred to as being bred or mated. Omegas are often considered the most fragile of the hierarchy, with frailer bodies and painful presentations. Male omegas are especially subject to fertility issues, miscarriages, and difficult pregnancies.

Alpha and Omega lovers may form [[Soulbond|pair-bonds]] (often involving [[mating]] bites) with a special connection with telepathic or empathetic qualities. Paired Alphas may be jealous and possessive of their mate, while the Omega may become submissive. Omegas may go into [[Heat Fic|heat]] and need to have sex; this may be the only time Omegas are fertile. The Alpha equivalent is known as a rut.

Alpha and Omega lovers may form [[Soulbond|pair-bonds]] (often involving [[mating]] bites) with a special connection with telepathic or empathetic qualities. Paired Alphas may be jealous and possessive of their mate, while the Omega may become submissive. Omegas may go into [[Heat Fic|heat]] and need to have sex; this may be the only time Omegas are fertile. The Alpha equivalent is known as a rut.

The ratio of alphas to betas to omegas within the population is sometimes mentioned in fanfic but varies depending on the needs of the plot.  

The ratio of alphas to betas to omegas within the population is sometimes mentioned in fanfic, but varies depending on the needs of the plot.  

From these basic elements, a wide variety of fanworks can be constructed. Some A/B/O works are straight-up porn, some explore [[social justice]] issues, some turn the trope [[trope inversion|on its head]] and makes alphas rather than omegas the disenfranchised group, etc. A/B/O is mainly known as a fic trope, but [[fanart]] is possible.<ref>For example, [http://diminuel.tumblr.com/post/66103792174/can-i-be-your-alpha-au-in-which-your-blood SPN digital art by diminuel] on Tumblr (safe for work)</ref>

From these basic elements a wide variety of fanworks can be constructed. Some A/B/O works are straight-up porn, some explore [[social justice]] issues, some turn the trope [[trope inversion|on its head]] and makes alphas rather than omegas the disenfranchised group, etc. A/B/O is mainly known as a fic trope, but [[fanart]] is possible.<ref>For example, [http://diminuel.tumblr.com/post/66103792174/can-i-be-your-alpha-au-in-which-your-blood SPN digital art by diminuel] on tumblr (safe for work)</ref>

==History==

==History==

Although [[#Similarities with Other Tropes|individual elements of the trope appeared much earlier]], Alpha/Beta/Omega originated in [[Supernatural]] fandom with a few very specific AU [[kink meme]] [[prompt]]s for the [[J2]] [[RPF]] [[ship]]. The first one<ref name="ffanon">According to an anon on [[fail_fandomanon]]: [https://fail-fandomanon.dreamwidth.org/185139.html?thread=1008892979#cmt1008 2016-03-02 comment].</ref> was in May 2010 and has also been identified as the culprit responsible for the popularity of [[knotting]] in SPN fandom:

Although [[#Similarities with Other Tropes|individual elements of the trope appeared much earlier]], Alpha/Beta/Omega originated in [[Supernatural]] fandom with a few very specific AU [[kink meme]] [[prompt]]s for the [[J2]] [[RPF]] [[ship]]. The first one<ref name="ffanon">According to an anon on [[fail_fandomanon]]: [https://fail-fandomanon.dreamwidth.org/185139.html?thread=1008892979#cmt1008 2016-03-02 comment].</ref> was in May 2010 and has also been identified as the culprit responsible for the popularity of [[knotting]] in SPN fandom:

{{Quotation|AU - Their world is just like ours...except...in their world, there are two types of men. One is the alpha male, the other is the bitch male. Alpha males are like any ordinary guy with the exception of their cocks, they work just like dog cocks (the knot, tons of cum, etc) The bitch male, is just an ordinary guy without the special cock.

{{Quotation|AU - Their world is just like ours...except...in their world there are two types of men. One is the alpha male, the other is the bitch male. Alpha males are like any ordinary guy with the exception of their cocks, they work just like dog cocks (the knot, tons of cum etc) The bitch male, is just an ordinary guy without the special cock.

I'd like to see Alpha male [[Jared]], and Bitch male [[Jensen]]. Jensen is a snotty prude (think Lady from lady and the tramp) he may be a bitch male but he's not just going to let anybody take a go at his sweet little ass...until he meets Jared...then prudey little Jensen turns cock slut for Jared. Bonus points for J2 being [[OTP]], Jensen was a virgin before Jared, and now that they met each other, it's for life.

I'd like to see Alpha male [[Jared]], and Bitch male [[Jensen]]. Jensen is a snotty prude (think Lady from lady and the tramp) he may be a bitch male but he's not just going to let anybody take a go at his sweet little ass...until he meets Jared...then prudey little Jensen turns cock slut for Jared. Bonus points for J2 being [[OTP]], Jensen was a virgin before Jared, and now that they met each other, it's for life.

Among those elements are [[MPREG]], [[going into heat]], a hierarchical biology-based class/caste system, and [[knotting]]. Other tropes dealing with "a basic biology they cannot deny" include [[pon farr]], the [[Sime~Gen]] universe, and some elements of [[Sentinel AU]].

Among those elements are [[MPREG]], [[going into heat]], a hierarchical biology-based class/caste system, and [[knotting]]. Other tropes dealing with "a basic biology they cannot deny" include [[pon farr]], the [[Sime~Gen]] universe, and some elements of [[Sentinel AU]].

According to one commentator on [[FFA]], A/B/O fic can be distinguished from earlier tropes by its combination of biological changes with a culture structured around the differentiated biology: {{Quotation|I always say it's the class system based on biological characteristics and knotting, though other nonnies have pointed out that knotting isn't omnipresent in fic being written nowadays. Mpreg isn't so much needed as the possibility of mpreg - and someone may write a fic where alphas and omegas are biological dead ends and thus remove the possibility of mpreg and thus remove that possibility and I, personally, would still consider it a/b/o as long as they'd be a differentiated social group. The same rationale goes for heats, as long as other biological markers are in place to account for the biological part of the genre. It's the articulation between those differences and the social [side] of things that is really the indispensable part.<ref>{{source| url = http://fail-fandomanon.dreamwidth.org/185139.html?thread=1008892979#cmt1008892979 | title = fail_fandomanon | FFA DW Post # 383 - Greek social fallacies |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6fiuuE4y7 |archivedate= 2016-03-03 }}</ref>}}

According to one commentator on [[FFA]], A/B/O fic can be distinguished from earlier tropes by its combination of biological changes with a culture structured around the differentiated biology: {{Quotation|I always say it's the class system based on biological characteristiques and knotting, though other nonnies have pointed out that knotting isn't omnipresent in fic being written nowadays. Mpreg isn't so much needed as the possibility of mpreg - and someone may write fic where alphas and omegas are biological dead ends and thus remove the possibility of mpreg and thus remove that possibility and I, personally, would still consider it a/b/o as long as they'd be a differentiated social group. The same rational goes for heats, as long as other biological markers are in place to account for the biological part of the genre. It's the the articulation between those differences and the social [side] of things that is really the indispensable part.<ref>{{source| url = http://fail-fandomanon.dreamwidth.org/185139.html?thread=1008892979#cmt1008892979 | title = fail_fandomanon | FFA DW Post # 383 - Greek social fallacies |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6fiuuE4y7 |archivedate= 2016-03-03 }}</ref>}}

A similar premise was used in [[Life from the Ashes]] in [[X-Files]] fandom in the 1990s. In that story, a virus biologically changes half of the male population into breeding partners who emit sex pheromones. Social differentiation between the biologically determined groups is not explicit, although by the end of the story, it is implied.

A similar premise was used in [[Life from the Ashes]] in [[X-Files]] fandom in the 1990s. In that story, a virus biologically changes half of the male population into breeding partners who emit sex pheromones. Social differentiation between the biologically determined groups is not explicit, although by the end of the story, it is implied.