The Mask You Live In Stereotypes

"The Mask You Live In" is a documentary about masculinity, gender stereotypes, and how males are expected to hide their emotions behind a mask. From a very young age, boys are taught that it is feminine to cry, and they have to fight back the tears in order to fit in society's construction of gender. In modern society boys can't cry, expose their sadness or emotions, they have to be strong, and pick up traits played by male roles in films and advertisements. Day by day, boys aren't constantly under pressure to play by these roles, so thy can be accepted and fit in to society. However, these traits are breaking them apart, and brainwashing them into thinking how they should be, instead of being themselves. From an age as little as three,

These are the traits that are expected in men in society, as it is the traditional male stereotype to have these traits in order to fit in. Male's are taught these traits from a very young age, and have no choice but to adapt to them. These traits not only negatively effect men, but women too. Traits such as aggression, and dominance can negatively effect women, because this gives male's the upper hand to the relationship, and gives them the advantage to be controlling over women. Society has constructed the idea that men have dominance, and women are weak and submissive. This also has a negative effect for men even though it may seem they are benefiting from this. By having to follow the traits of strength, dominance, and aggression puts lots of pressure on them. They are pressured to appear strong and have no emotions except anger. By having anger this makes them a "real" man, and being dominant over their partner is what allows them to fit in. However these traits are not good for women or men. It allows men to take advantage of women by being dominant and having control, and it does not allow men to show any other emotion. These are unhealthy for both men and women, and their emotional health. By having these traits is what makes a man masculine, which is placing a negative lifestyle for society. So why doesn't society change

Mainstream media representations play a role in portraying ideas about what it means to be a “real” man in our society. In most media portrayals, male characters are praised for self-control and the control of others, violence, financial independence, and physical desirability. The media is a very important part of society, because it is what people follow on their daily lives, and what people rely on these days. Therefore it is crucial to decide what to portray in the media, because people will follow it and do what the media does. If the media discourages men to show emotions other than aggression, then it is what society will follow and go through, which is what has happened that shaped masculinity in the form it is now. In advertisements, men are portrayed as strong and muscular. The media also shows men as sporty at fit. Since the media is showing what the ideal man should be like, this gives the idea that male's have to be like this. This then puts pressure on men to be sporty, and have a career in sports like rugby and