A FILM BY JENNIFER SIEBEL NEWSOM
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.
The Mask You Live In
Press Kit: Page 1 of 19
therepresentationproject.org/films/the-mask-you-live-in/