There’s a lot of aspects in the documentary that got my attention. First, how the media demonstrate hyper-masculinity and hyper-femininity. Second, how school standards and hierarchy between boys grows masculinity, meaning how if you don’t play sports, swear, drink or having sex in high school, you can be looked down upon from others, which then you force yourself to do some things you don’t want to do. Third, how sometime schools and its teachers affect the increase in students dropping out in high school. By suspending students because of their bad behavior without knowing why some students are behaving this way. This limits their commitment to education which leads them to dropout.
The first aspect got my attention, because I never realized how the use of colors for example for toys is to seperate the genders. But for the two other aspects, it’s because it was so relatable to me while growing up. However, I didn’t know the magnitude and effect it is causing.
What got my attention in Gomez’s book, is how he doesn’t censor on his past experiences, like the part where he hooks up usually with a girl at his college parties but outside of the parties, they don’t communicate. By watching the documentary I understand better Gomez’s experiences.
Lovers and Fighters | Section 22 