However, some may argue that the lack of empirical evidence on the upper classes may mean that generalizations are being made about middle class families. This is supported by the renounced work of Scott whom argues that the peer group may help to reinforce upper class identity is through the creation of an ‘old Boys network’ which confers economic and cultural advantages on it’s members, through the network of gentleman’s club in which opportunities eventually land.
The second way in which males are socialized into traditional masculinities is through the process whereby children particularly males observe and then imitate the ‘instrumental role’. This is supported by the work of Parson’s who argued that the useful division of Labour occurs within the nuclear family in which men and women take on roles they are systematically biologically suited to. Men take on the’ instrumental role, ’which takes them outside the home to portray physical labour and be renounced as breadwinners. Women on the other hand, take on the ‘Expressive role’ take on the nurturing tasks of caring for their family homes and the emotional life of the family. This behaviour is then imitated/implemented on their offspring.
On the other hand, the concept of this may be quashed by Parson’s work through the agency of workplace which may help to reinforce masculine identity is by masculinsing manual work. This is supported by the work of Jackson. Who explores that unskilled & semi-skilled manual jobs are usually illustrated as “ macho jobs”. Males reflect traditional male working class identities. However, more recently their disappearance has these identities left uncertain and threatened. , Working class respond to this behaviour and turn to the concept of ‘laddish behaviour’.
The Third way in which males are socialized into traditional masculities is that the media may assist to reinforce masculine identity is by repeatedly representing hegemonic masculinity in adverts, soaps and films. This is supported by Connell who argues that most British men are socialized into hegemonic masculinity. Hegemonic masculinity is associated with the male supremacy (power and authority), heterosexuality, and aggression and ‘laddish’ culture. Connell postulates that men are expected to be individualistic, aggressive, risk-taking, & ambitious whilst at the same time being financial providers and authority figures in the home, dispensing (serving) wisdom and firm discipline to the wife and children. Men are not expected to take on the domestic task and seal their emotions.
However, Postmodernists would attack the perception given by Parsons and posit that the media may reinforce the males into hybrid identity, exposing individuals to a variety of different cultures. Postmodernists argue that the media expose individuals to a vast range of styles and products that can be picked up, discarded and most importantly adapted to fit the needs of different cultural people. In such situations people are exposed to diverse flavours of cultural influences that may be probable to develop a ‘pick and mix’ approach/ Create a new identity making it unique.
The Fourth way in which males are socialized into traditional masculinities is by encouraging the sharing of common male values and interests. This is supported by Mac an Ghaill who discuss the concept of ‘crisis in masculinity’. Work was often a defining feature of male masculinity i.e. boy’s were socialized into the optimistic ideology of obtaining and maintaining a job and to be a breadwinner of the family. However, in the last few decades there has been a decline in traditional employment for men and this has resulted to a loss of self-esteem and status for some men. Mac an Ghaill argue that this crisis has been the development of a variety of exaggerated masculinities such as ‘macho lads’ who defined their masculine identities via a particularly symbolic display of working class masculinity; which is through “ the tree F’s – fighting, Fucking and football”.
However Rex who is the underlying preposition of ethnic identity, who argues his composition through the agency of the workplace. Rex argues that the workplace may help to reinforce the process of hybridization in which workers may adopt themselves into dominant culture in order to avoid racism and discrimination.
In conclusion, Although there are various agencies of socialization that predicate and create and reinforce males into traditional masculinities, through differentiated activities for gender specific roles. Nevertheless, one must take into account that there are other agencies of socialization that are defiant to the traditional masculities attire and may complacent, of hybridizing their identity, through the pick and mix attitude, the altitude of traditional masculinity is no longer sustaining however, a downfallen idea to new upcoming identities.