This man-to-man thing may be cultural, genetic and/or specific to individuals. If male children are raised in households where 'Dad' does not hug them, said child may grow to think that such behavior is unacceptable between males. Children seem to be imprinted in the first few years of their lives, and if Dad is not present, or unemotional/detached/distracted, then this may affect the child. On the other hand, knowing something about genetics and individuals (having a few children myself
), each child is unique, regardless how it is raised. Some are more needy, more touchy, more cerebral, more physical, etc.
And within cultures there are groups where hugging between males is acceptable, even though the person may not be a touchy person and the person lives, for example, in the USA. Plus, men, on average, are different than women (Duh!) for survival reasons. My wife is the nurturer, pulling the kids close. Me, I'm the one getting them ready to leave the nest and survive in the world. The kids benefit (hopefully) from having us both.
Anyway...
PJ, no dolt, obviously knew that some would see things that he did not intend. Is this why he has Sam talking of Rosie and eventually getting married at the end of all things? On the other hand, there's the 'bedroom scene' where the Fellowship wrestle a bit too much, and so maybe that was put it so that those looking for penguins would having something to see.