The Mask You Live In is a documentary that follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity.

::::: TRAILER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc45-ptHMxo

::::: FULL SYNOPSIS
The Mask You Live In is a documentary that 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.

Portland State University
Smith Memorial Student Union Room 296 & 298

This event is FREE and is brought to you by the PSU Student Alliance for Sexual Safety and Reimagine Masculinity.

The film starts at about 6:00 PM and will run till about 7:45 PM, but all attendees are invited to stay afterward for an informal discussion about the film. The film can be a pretty emotional experience, so please come prepared to be kind and respectful to others.