THE MASK YOU LIVE IN
The Mask You Live In 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.
“Changed my life”
“The Mask You Live In changed my life. [It] is the first documentary I’ve seen that is not only for me, but about me.”
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“We’ve got to raise up a healthier generation of boys”
“To eradicate male violence toward women, we’ve got to raise up a healthier generation of boys that become men, that learn how to be emotionally connected and. . .respect other human beings.”
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THE ISSUE
Research shows that compared to girls, boys in the U.S. are more likely to be diagnosed with a behavior disorder, prescribed stimulant medications, fail out of school, binge drink, commit a violent crime, and/or take their own lives.
HOW TO WATCH
Help shape the national conversation around healthy masculinity by hosting a screening of The Mask You Live In. With the right screening resources, you can arrange a screening in a few easy steps. Total Running Time: 1h 37m. Stream, buy or license the film HERE.
RATINGS
Common Sense Media: “A deeply affecting documentary about how boys are directed to grow up to be “men” — and what it really means to be a man in today’s society.”
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