"The Mask You Live In" Documentary Screening at The Grauer School in Encinitas

Throughout its 25 year history, The Grauer School has presented "Great Conversations" events to engage in a dialogue with the community about some of our society's most critical educational issues. To continue this important dialogue, Grauer will present a screening of The Mask You Live In, a documentary that follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity.

Written, produced and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, The Mask You Live In premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2015. The documentary presents the personal narratives of young boys and men and features experts in neuroscience, psychology, sociology, sports, education, and media, further exploring how gender stereotypes are interconnected with race, class, and circumstance. The Mask You Live In ultimately illustrates how we, as a society, can raise a healthier generation of boys and young men. “Just as our culture has harmed women and girls, so too are we harming our boys, which has led to a ‘boy crisis’ in America,” said Newsom. “Our intention is that this film sparks a national conversation around masculinity and helps our boys overcome limiting stereotypes, encouraging them to stay true to themselves.”

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, according to The Representation Project (therepresentationproject.org). Dr. Stuart Grauer, Founder and Headmaster of The Grauer School, remarked “This documentary presents an eye-opening view of the issues facing boys and young men in today’s society, which is a very important topic of discussion for parents and educators alike. The film provides a common narrative for us to understand and discuss strategies for helping boys navigate the difficult and emotional process of growing up. At The Grauer School, we believe that mentoring by teachers and developing personal relationships with students is a critical element in raising emotionally healthy young men. Relationship-based education is not just a feel-good concept, it’s also a powerful strategy for emotional development.”

The public is invited to attend the screening of The Mask You Live In, which will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. in Meyer Hall on The Grauer School campus located at 1500 South El Camino Real in Encinitas — RSVP at grauerschool.com/events. After the screening, there will be a panel discussion including the following panelists:

• Tony Hawk, Professional Skateboarder, actor, owner of Birdhouse skateboard company, founder of the Tony Hawk Foundation (tonyhawkfoundation.org) that builds skateparks for youth in underprivileged areas
• Hanalei Vierra, Ph.D., Psychotherapist and Relationship Coach for men, author of a soon-to-be released book, “The True Heart of a Man: How Healthy Masculinity Will Transform Your Life, Your Relationships, and The World”
• Joe Sigurdson, Co-founder of Boys to Men Mentoring (boystomen.org), which provides mentoring relationships for many boys who do not have a role model in their life
• Billy Moore, President and CEO of the ABC “Any Body Can” Youth Foundation (www.abcyouthfoundation.org) and son of ABC’s founder, American boxing legend, Archie Moore, with a mission of empowering San Diego’s inner city youth to face life’s challenges with courage and dignity
• Vann Parker, Boy Scout Leader, Indian Guide Leader, Volunteer Youth Sports Coach, and Classroom Volunteer

About The Grauer School

The Grauer School, founded in 1991, is a grades 7-12 private, college preparatory school located in Encinitas, California. The school is accredited by WASC, a member of NAIS, and serves as a successful educational model for hundreds of private schools around the world through the Small Schools Coalition (SSC), established by Dr. Stuart Grauer in 2011. To learn more about The Grauer School, visit www.grauerschool.com or call 760/944-6777.