The Smell of Burning Ants [excerpt]

Tags: children/youth, gender, social construction, masculinity, socialization, 00 to 05 mins
Year: 1994
Length: 1:53
Access: YouTube

Summary: This is a short clip from the The Smell of Burning Ants, "a haunting documentary on the pains of growing up male...Through formative events of a boy’s life, we come to understand the ways in which men can become emotionally disconnected and alienated from their feminine side. The common dismissal that “boys will be boys” evolves into the chilling realization that boys frequently become angry, destructive and emotionally disabled men. The Smell of Burning Ants illustrates how boys are socialized by fear, power and shame" (description from the film's website).  There are also parts 1, 2 and 3 available on YouTube.

Submitted By: Valerie Chepp

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