SEX ACCORDING TO MAÏA
MAÏA MAZAURETTE
If the narratives spread on the internet are to be believed, a dominant man can be recognized by a few unmistakable features: a square jaw, furrowed brows, bulging muscles, bitcoin and a refrigerator stocked with raw meat. These elements are touted as the hallmarks of an "alpha," a man capable of mesmerizing every female within miles. At least, according to a completely reliable source – namely, influencers.
Let's start with some bad news: The very existence of the so-called "alpha male" is now contested by scientists. The term originally comes from studies of wolves. If you're picturing impressive packs roaming the steppes, think again. The original studies were based on wolves kept in captivity in a zoo. In 1947, Swiss animal behaviorist Rudolf Schenkel (1914-2003) coined the terms alpha, beta and omega for both males and females and, in 1970, these were later popularized by zoologist David Mech, who also disavowed his own work three decades later. Wolves' social organization structures are far more complicated than this, and human society is even more so.
You have 83.84% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.