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'''Alpha/Beta/Omega''' or '''Alpha/Omega''' (occasionally '''Alpha/Beta''' '''Beta/Omega''') is a [[kink]] [[trope]] wherein some people have defined biological roles based on a [[Dominance Hierarchy|hierarchical system]], with the terms used contrary to animal behaviour research. Even when it may be [[werewolf]], [[knotting]], or other animalistic elements involved, or the characters may be otherwise purely human.<ref>[https://wolf.org/wolf-info/basic-wolf-info/biology-and-behavior] Basics of wolf biology and behavior.</ref>

'''Alpha/Beta/Omega''' or '''Alpha/Omega''' (occasionally '''Alpha/Beta''' '''Beta/Omega''') is a [[kink]] [[trope]] wherein some people have defined biological roles based on a [[Dominance Hierarchy|hierarchical system]]. The terms were borrowed from older behavior research on captive wolves that had been misappropriated by popular culture, but do not reflect current animal behaviour research.<ref>[https://wolf.org/wolf-info/basic-wolf-info/biology-and-behavior] Basics of wolf biology and behavior.</ref> Fanworks using this trope may involve [[werewolf]], [[knotting]], or other animalistic elements, 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>

[[Image:Tumblr_37323a8ac59b1eefbc694bc8ca3650e2_b00a9109_1280.png|thumb|This image from [[I Met You On LJ]]'s '#FicTropeFriday' shows the importance of pheromones to the A/B/O concept.]]

[[Image:Tumblr_37323a8ac59b1eefbc694bc8ca3650e2_b00a9109_1280.png|thumb|This image from [[I Met You On LJ]]'s '#FicTropeFriday' shows the importance of pheromones to the A/B/O concept.]]

'''Alphas''' are able to impregnate Omegas. Alphas may or may not be dominant. 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 able to impregnate Omegas. Alphas are often (but not always) "dominant" in some fashion (depending on the worldbuilding of the specific story). 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''' may or may no be 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 often presented as having "normal" human anatomy, with none of the special attributes of Alphas or Omegas. They may be the peacemakers between Alphas and Omegas. Depending on the needs of the story, they may or may not be 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.

'''Omegas''' are generally lowest on the hierarchy. Some mangas don't have this hierarchy, their society is just like the actual human world (even 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 in some works they 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''' can get pregnant and go into heat. They are generally lowest on the hierarchy (although in some fanworks omegas are rare and prized). Some mangas don't have this hierarchy; their society is just like the actual human world. Male Omegas are self-[[lubrication|lubricating]] and have the ability to become [[Mpreg|pregnant]], sometimes referred to as being bred or mated. In some fanworks Omegas are 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. In some works paired Alphas may be jealous and possessive of their mate, while the Omega may become highly tied and needy. 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. In some works paired Alphas may be jealous and possessive of their mate, while the Omega may become highly tied and needy. 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 te works, but varies depending on the needs of the plot.  

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

From these basic elements a wide variety of works 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 works 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>