“Don’t cry.” “Be a man.” “Man up.” “Don’t be a pussy.” “Grow some fucking balls.” These are the lessons we’re teaching our boys, and it’s hurting everyone. When we feminize caring, empathy and emotional communication and expression, we don’t give boys the capacity to be fully formed human beings. The result is violence and suicide.
This is the focus of the new documentary, “The Mask You Live In.” It’s a follow up to 2011’s great doc, “Miss Representation”, currently available on Netflix, about how the media’s often disparaging portrayals of women contribute to the under-representation of females in positions of power, forcing women to be defined by beauty and sexuality, not by their capacity as leaders. Director Jennifer Siebel Newsom basically spawned a movement — with a website, a vibrant social media presence, nation-wide events, and educational outreach — dedicated to questioning the stereotypical gender roles that get obsessively, even subconsciously perpetuated by our society. So it’s no surprise her follow-up film targets the media’s narrow definition of ideal masculinity — as aggressive, violent, sexually and financially obsessed, and emotionally closed-off — and how it’s negatively impacting boys:
Right now, the only way to see the film is to either host or attend a local screening. You can find a nearby screening here; if you’re part of an institution such as a school or a nonprofit and would like to host a public screening, fill out this form. Note: private in-home viewing is unavailable at this time.
Below are some of the alarming statistics featured in the film, followed by a sneak peak at one of the short videos in their curriculum series, which is designed to engage students in three, primary learning objectives: 1) Examine concepts of media literacy and gender socialization, as well as the ways in which media shapes our culture. 2) Critique representations of manhood and begin to make positive representations of men and boys. 3) Examine how healthy self-concepts and interpersonal relationships can result in healthier forms of masculinity.
- Compared to girls, boys are two times more likely to flunk or drop out or school1
- Compared to girls, boys are two times more likely to receive special education2
- Compared to girls, boys are four times more likely to be expelled3
- Every day three or more boys commit suicide4
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death for boys5
- Only 22 states require public schools teach sex education8
