A reader asked me the other day, “Ryan, I’ve heard about this thing called a beta male provider… What is it, and why are people talking about it?” That’s a great question!
There’s a lot of discussion around alpha, beta, omega, and the many types of leadership personalities that exist in human nature.
Before we dig into the specifics…
It’s important that you know the core concepts behind the beta male personality type. What their characteristics, traits, and overall demeanor can be… In short, the “beta male” is typically classified as a type of “follower.”
This is someone who gets lead by other beta males or even alpha females. When we discuss the “beta male provider,” the way the female or partner defines themselves gets to be a very critical part of the definition.
See also: Alpha male vs. beta male
What is a beta male provider?
A beta male provider is someone who is still considered a beta male, although has some “provider” tendencies, similar to an alpha male. For example, a beta male provider is going to be the most common type of “husband” in today’s modern society (it just is).
Before we jump into the “not so good” parts… There are some benefits of being a beta male. Most commonly, the study that I referred to suggests that beta males typically have lower stress levels. We could safely assume that’s true.
Okay, so what exactly are they, though?
A beta male provider is someone who has an alpha female or alpha partner, considers themselves a beta, but still provides some assets as a type of alpha.
Let’s take a real life example to get a better understanding. The wife works, the husband works, the wife makes a majority of the household decisions, and the husband contributes money to the relationship and family whole.
In this situation, the husband is still “second in command” when it comes to the household, although is still providing. This is the most common type of relationship we see in the United States.
How did so many men become the “beta male provider?”
The rise of the alpha female in United States is partially to “blame” for this new dynamic. Men have had to take a more non-traditional approach (don’t sho*t the messenger when you read this—historically, based on evidence and facts—this is a new approach in our society).
Is this a healthy dynamic between two people?
It works for some, it does not work for others. It’s really important to remember that our hormones respond to our daily actions. For example, sitting behind a computer all day—this has negative effects on all testosterone levels. Testosterone exists in both men and women. And a healthy balance of testosterone and estrogen are required for both genders.
Studies have found that alpha females may struggle with hormone imbalances. In contrast, a beta male or beta male provider may struggle with testosterone imbalances. If there are signs of male issues in the household, it could be time to take a look at the dynamic in the relationship and find ways to adjust it as necessary.
Inside this article
Fact checked:
Board reviewed by Marianne Tomlinson, LCSW (Couples and Family Therapy). Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Learn more.