The Mask You Live In follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America's limited definition of masculinity. Pressured by the media, their peer groups, and even the adults in their lives, our protagonists confront messages encouraging them to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify 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.
M**E
Beautiful in every way...
Wow. What a phenomenal film to watch with the boys and men in your lives. I had tears streaming down my face even as a female, weeping for the collective damage our culture has inflicted on young boys and men not necessarily by “trying to make them tougher sooner” but mostly in crippling the emotional bonds and connections between fathers and sons and men amongst each other...My 4 year old boy popped in to watch with me for a while and it started a wonderful conversation about what it means to be a man and “be tough” ...(his dad is a Cowboy if that tells you anything). As a mother I try to buffer some of the typical conditioning this rural tough-guy culture instills in its boys even at a young age, and I try to be the counter weight by being his “soft place to fall” where he can openly talk and be vulnerable. This movie gave me some great perspectives on constructively dealing with these issues. It is a fine line we walk as parents while we try to make our kids immune to bullies in school on the one hand, but also instill and model enough heart an empathy to not become the bullies themselves. This shed more light on such an important issue. What a wonderful subject to make a movie about and a great step in the right direction!
B**Y
Most beneficial explanation of masculinity and male development in western society.
Possibly the most beneficial explanation of American culture and the issue of male emotions. Humans are emotional creatures and forcing young boys to live hardened and emotionless leads to lifelong personal and mental health issues. This production explains the damage being done and what is necessary to break out of the American ideal of emotionless and robotic boys and men. A must watch for all people (men and women). Recommended age: 9+
D**G
wonderful!
Absolutely love this video! Should be required watching in every school in the country. My husband and I watched together - in tears. It explains so much. I have bought 4 copies and went to get more but Amazon isn't selling the external DVD anymore (bummer) so I ordered from another site and it was alot more money! But so glad I was able to purchase when I could! I am a therapist in private practice and often have men and women who are not emotionally literate but have the desire to feel more and this is a really good introduction to doing that!
J**S
Life changing. Should be required.
One of the most powerful documentaries I've used in class. I teach HS English and this fits into several classes. It's particularly suited for ERWC and the Juvenile Justice unit. But it's great for them to evaluate persuasion and in the meantime learn. The boys in the class almost always feel validated and I notice subtle changes in their treatment of one another. It's a work that they will talk about the whole year. It is very intense. Know your students and watch before. I have loads of discussion questions if anyone wants them... My only beef is not having the sources for the statistics anywhere that is easy to find.
A**E
A must for every parent, and male and females
I have been working on identity and on traumas caused from infancy to old age caused by experiences mostly by males.One of the roads to healing is forgiving, even though forgetting is very difficult because the personality of the victim modeled according to the trauma. This moving, by revealing the true personality of the predators, brings victim a tool to understanding and forgiveness. Not only that, a tool to stop it for the next generations. It should be a must in any middle school, since by them boys are on their way to ruin.
R**A
Every parent, every adult, everyone should see this
I wish I'd seen this when my kids were young. I was never very emotionally mature, and I regret that I didn't know how to teach my son that emotions are Ok. I think he's turned out well, but oh how I wish I could have helped him to be even better. Him and those of his friends with whom I had contact and could have been a better mentor.I will begin volunteering in the county jail later this summer, and I hope I can help the men in some way, using some of what I learned from this film.
P**N
Sobering and Informative
Sobering and informative for those of us who are older and can't always understand the changes in culture that our young people today are facing. I am grateful to those who created this documentary to bring attention to the root causes of the extreme physical and sexual violence in our country today, and around the world. Awareness is the beginning of change, but the desire to change and the courage to make the needed changes are up to the choices we as individuals make in our own lives. I would encourage anyone who cares about the future of our young people, our country and our world to watch this documentary and then ask themselves, "What can I do to help us heal the wounds that make us either victims or perpetrators of violent crimes?" We are our own worse enemies, and create much of our own suffering and the suffering of others.
M**R
Wow to say the least
I high recommend this film to everyone. I am a mother of teenage sons and this film was eye opening and heartbreaking all at once. It's a great way to break the ice and have a frank discussion with our young men and even our young women on how society views both genders and what's expected of each role.
B**L
One Star
only plays in Region 1 (USA) so useless on my UK machine - returned
I**E
Boys' and men's feelings matter too!
Awesome. There's language but of course this is for adults and teens. Better language would be preferred. However nails many issues on the head. It's not just about men. Issues raised here are extremely relevant to gender inequality as well as violence against women (emotional, sexual, physical etc.) in our societies. Hands down the only or the best documentary I've seen on the subject. NOT TO BE MISSED! I'm a middle school teacher and I'm planning on sharing some age-appropriate parts with the kids to raise discussion. ALSO goes hand in hand with the female counterpart, the DVD called Miss Representation.
E**C
Sollte Pflicht in jeder Schule und für alle Eltern sein
Diese Doku ist ein echter Augenöffner und hilft einem, vieles in unserer Gesellschaft zu verstehen. Ich habe gleich 3 DVDs bestellt, um ein bisschen aufzuklären im Bekanntenkreis. Eigentlich sollte diese Doku Pflicht in jeder Schule und für alle Mütter und Väter werden, so wichtig ist die Einsicht, meiner Meinung nach. Absolute Empfehlung.
C**R
A must see!
There have been negative reviews on IMDB and possibly here (I have not looked yet) and I think they are unfounded. This uncovers the many ways men have had their masculinity stripped away. It also shows how we have been shamed to be a certain way which is not natural. I was shocked to see that this was produced by a woman. But I'm sure glad she did. This is an important film for everyone to see.
C**N
Excellent
An excellent film all should watch.
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