Final answer:
Peer groups are crucial in reinforcing boys' sense of identity and masculinity, and they play a significant role in adolescents' development of their own separate identity. Peer groups provide opportunities for socialization and influence how individuals talk, communicate, dress, and shape their views on politics.
Step-by-step explanation:
A peer group is a social group made up of people who are similar in age and social status and who share interests. Peer group socialization begins in childhood and continues into adolescence, when teenagers start to develop their own identity separate from their parents and exert independence. Peer groups provide opportunities for socialization and influence how individuals talk, communicate, dress, and even shape their views on politics.
Studies have shown that peer groups are crucial in reinforcing boys' sense of identity and masculinity. In some cases, boys may value hegemonic masculinity, a form of traditional masculinity that emphasizes power, control, and dominance. Boys may learn and internalize these ideals of masculinity from their peers, as they seek acceptance and validation within their peer group.