Mary Ryan mainly argued that the ideal “self-made man” was not achieved through independence, but through building a network and supporting a family. Ryan extensively discussed how, in middle and working-class families during this time, a young man would “make himself” by becoming economically productive, starting a family, and supporting said family (p. 166). Although men were not necessarily expected to raise children, keep up with their homes, or work prestigious jobs, they were expected to work a job that paid enough to support their families' basic needs and to pass down skills, such as farming and blacksmithing, to their sons. Living situations, such as residing with parents or older family members, were frowned upon and seen as undesirable and unstable for most men. However, many young middle-class men lived at home during their early twenties to develop their sense of stability and character. Overall, Ryan argued that men became more domesticated to fulfill evolving expectations of masculinity, much of which related to building a future to support their family. (Allisya Smith)