What descriptions of the 19th century cowboy is based more on a myth than on fact?

The romanticized image of the 19th-century cowboy often emphasizes a rugged, solitary figure, embodying ideals of bravery and independence, which oversimplifies the reality. In truth, most cowboys were young, diverse laborers who worked in teams on cattle drives and were more focused on survival than adventure. Additionally, the portrayal of cowboys as expert marksmen and fearless gunfighters is largely exaggerated; while some did carry firearms, violent confrontations were not as common as popular culture suggests. Overall, the mythologized cowboy is more a product of literature and film than an accurate reflection of historical life on the range.