Lack of gender roles in Vargr society.

[Murphy]

One aspect in which the social structure of a Vargr pack differs from what their non-sentient ancestors, the wolves, had.

I may be wrong but I think that, when fighting for dominance, wolves only challenge ones of the same gender? Consequently, there are in fact two leaders in a pack, with leadership going to either male or female depending on the type of activity.

To me it would mean that, in fact, Vargr should actually have stronger gender distinction than humans, unless the Ancients for some reason chose to weed that trait out.

Discuss.

 

[SpaceBadger]

One aspect in which the social structure of a Vargr pack differs from what their non-sentient ancestors, the wolves, had.

I may be wrong but I think that, when fighting for dominance, wolves only challenge ones of the same gender? Consequently, there are in fact two leaders in a pack, with leadership going to either male or female depending on the type of activity.

To me it would mean that, in fact, Vargr should actually have stronger gender distinction than humans, unless the Ancients for some reason chose to weed that trait out.

Discuss.

Interesting observation, and correct I believe as to wolves.

For Vargr, however, I would take this as one of the instincts that were bred out by the Ancients in uplifting, for two reasons: 1) I don't think we have ever seen any reference to this gender division in previous writings about Vargr; and 2) it would make them too similar to the Aslan, who are already established as dividing up responsibility by gender according to activity.

 

[coliver988]

And all the wolf behaviour has also been mostly thrown out as it was using wolves in captivity. Apparently in the wild wolves behave differently: http://io9.com/why-everything-you-know-about-wolf-packs-is-wrong-502754629

now that could also be wrong...

 

[Murphy]

Right. I would imagine that infighting would be uncommon in a Vargr pack formed like that - male, female and their adult offspring.

It is, however, also typical for Vargr to form packs of unrelated individuals, and this would more closely resemble the model we have for wolves living in the zoo rather than wolves living in the wild.