I’ve been exposed to many conflicting ideas about masculinity and how it is passed down, and I’ve come to realize that determining which forms were more dominant at any given time is, to some extent, shaped by the interpretation of each author. This has pushed me to become more aware of bias in the readings I engage with and to think critically about the perspectives they present. While reviewing British archives and anthropological records, I’ve found detailed descriptions of living conditions, but little explicit discussion of how ideas, especially about masculinity, were transmitted through households or lineages. As a result, I’ve encountered gaps in my understanding. Often, I come across compelling findings in primary sources, but there’s limited context or explanation for why those patterns exist, due to omissions in the sources themselves. After speaking with my research professor, I’ve adjusted my expectations for my final paper. Rather than aiming to draw definitive conclusions, I plan to detail my findings and offer theories or hypotheses that might explain them, while acknowledging that I may not be able to fully prove them with the materials currently available to me.