Alpha/Omega Dynamics: Biological Determinism or Porny Good Times?

[tanndell]

So let’s talk about the not so recent trend across fandoms for Alpha/Omega fics heavily featuring knotting, heats and more likely than not mpreg. The trend started, as kink trends so often do in the SPN fandom (take a bow, guys) and now seem pervasive in several other fandoms, particularly in the XMFC fandom. And I will admit to enjoying the kink. It takes the D/S dynamics that I have loved in fic for years to the next level, often leads to excellent character and world building and deals with many issues of preassigned sexual and gender roles, often in fascinating subversive ways. But, with a number of fics popping up on my flist and dash over the last few weeks, I have had a couple of thinky thoughts. Actually, one major thinky thought, and one fic idea/plot bunny that I offer to fandom as my gift for reading through this drivel.


Thinky thought: Now, I read slash (mostly, I have been known to read het and gen in a few select fandoms, but slash is what turns my crank). I am in no way ashamed of this. But while my primary interest is in good looking men getting down and dirty when I am reading pure porn, when I am reading fascinating world building narratives, I like fleshed-out supporting characters, with purposes, dynamics and personalities of their own that add to the universe that the author is setting up. One of the things I have found ignored to a fault in Alpha/Omega fic is what happens to those outside the immediate rules of the world as set up by the author.

Since a Universe dominated by Alpha/Omega sexual trends is per force a Universe where the sexual laws of nature are imperative, said sexual laws being dictated by physical characteristics, usually masculine ones, what happens to a community that isn’t interested in knotting. What happens to those who cannot go into heat? What happens to the transgender community? What happens to those who are asexual, despite the demands of their body? What happens to the lesbian women who cannot conceive in an universe where male pregnancies are possible because men have a penis and women don’t, and therefore the needs for IVF and surrogacy takes on a whole new aspect? Every time I read these fics, incredibly sexy and very smart as so many of them are, I am constantly plagued with questions about the construct of the outsider in these societies, and I have not read enough (any?) fics which deal with these issues. Tell me your thoughts flist, and if you have recs, leave them here. I am keen to read it.

Plot Bunny: That said, I am going to go back to the conventions of the genre to ask for a fic I desperately want to see written. Since one of the aspects of the Alpha/Omega mpreg is the biological determinism, I want to see a world where only Alpha/Omega Male/Male relationships are sanctioned (even religiously approved) because of the element of reproduction. Heterosexual relationships can be Alpha/Alpha, Alpha/Beta, Alpha/Omega, Beta/Beta, Beta/Omega, or even Omega/Omega (though the last two may be frowned upon, because it may be a waste of a child bearing male). But all other homosexual relationships are taboo. I want to see two male Alphas or Omegas fall in love in this world. What would it be like for them, what are the forces that they would have to battle? World build for me more fandom, more! It’s all about me, me, me and what I want fandom to do. But I really would like someone to pick this up and create a rich fascinating intensely flawed universe. If I was a better writer, I’d do it myself. Until then, here you go loves. Help yourself.


Thanks for reading and a very good evening. Back to the porn now