The Mask You Live In - Film

The documentary, The Mask You Live In by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity.

Pressured by the media, their peer group, and even the adults in their lives, our protagonists confront messages encouraging them to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence. These gender stereotypes interconnect with race, class, and circumstance, creating a maze of identity issues boys and young men must navigate to become “real” men.

Experts in neuroscience, psychology, sociology, sports, education, and media also weigh in, offering empirical evidence of the “boy crisis” and tactics to combat it. The Mask You Live In ultimately illustrates how we, as a society, can raise a healthier generation of boys and young men.

See more at the film's website.

There will be a short discussion following the film.

Cosponsored by Sociology and Social Work, Gender Studies, SAPT, the Broene Counseling Center, and Gender Equality Now.

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