Women today no longer seem to understand what an alpha male is. They think of them as dangerous men, disrespectful and possessive.

This is because of books like Twilight and 50 Shades where insecure and mentally unstable men are portrayed as manly and desirable.

Many recognized the abuse disguised as romance, but still consider Edward Cullen and Christian Grey the ultimate alphas.



But then what about Mufasa?

We all know him: the king of Pride Rock, brave provider and wise father.

Is it right to still consider him an alpha male? Or is he a beta for not being a twisted abuser?

And what about Scar? Does his manipulative and controlling personality make him dominant?

Let’s take a closer look at these two characters and try to clear up some popular misconceptions.

-Strength is not Violence



I am only brave when I have to be. Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble

Mufasa demonstrates physical strength in more than one occasion, but never in an unjustified way.

Using his power just for show would be unnecessary and irresponsible.

An alpha male will never start a fight, but he will know how to defend himself and his loved ones when he needs to.

Scar on the other hand wants people to perceive him as strong more than he wants to be strong.

He likes harming those who are weaker than him.

He tries to appear brave, but does not hesitate to shift responsibility to save his own skin.

The kind of person who shows aggression out of context, or as a way to intimidate others, is not an alpha male.

-Dominance is not abuse

Everything you see exists together, in a delicate balance. You need to understand that balance and respect all creatures

Mufasa’s dominance does not need to be imposed, it is widely reconized. He is confident in his capacities, and his confidence is perceived by those around him.

There is a difference some people do not seem to notice between dominating and prevaricating: reciprocal respect allows dominance without prevarication. The role of an alpha male is to be aware of this.

Scar uses manipulation and violence to get compliance because he knows he could not get it otherwise.

He also desires dominance without fully understanding its significance.

Abuse is not a sign of confidence, it is a sign of fear.

-Leadership is not bossiness

There is more to being a king than getting your way all the time

Mufasa has a role, he is an active part of the kingdom’s balance.

Alpha males, no matter the situation, will always set high standards for themselves.

On the contrary, Scar leaves his dirty work first to the hyenas, then to the lionesses.

Alpha males’ strength is not so they can use it to be served, but so they can serve (their family, their society, the cause they believe in.)

-An Alpha male is not a bad boy

Ultimately, perpetrating myths about alpha males and toxic masculinity is only going to suppress the conversation surrounding essential aspects of manhood.

Those who present these characteristics should be encouraged and set as examples, not ignored or labeled as “bad boys”.

A bad boy can grow up to become an alpha male when he receives the right guidance, but treating his dominant traits as a threat is not going to help him, nor is it going to make those traits disappear.

Being a leader can not be expected of every man, or there would be nobody to lead.

In today’s everybody-is-a-winner society, masculine behaviors are often dismissed as unrealistic and dangerous. This confuses boys and represses their potential.

Praising beta males as the only way of being “emotionally intelligent” will result in a generation without leaders or worse yet bad ones.