Mansplaining
Mansplaining is a term that describes a situation where a man explains something to a woman in a condescending manner, often assuming she has less knowledge on the topic despite evidence to the contrary. The term blends "man" and the suffix "-splain," reflecting a broader social critique on gender dynamics and communication styles. Although the exact origin of "mansplaining" is unclear, it gained prominence in 2008 with American writer Rebecca Solnit's essay, "Men Explain Things to Me," which examined how women are often patronized by men.
This behavior is typically seen as a manifestation of sexism, rooted in the belief that women are less capable or knowledgeable. Mansplaining can manifest through interruptions, unsolicited explanations, and a dominating conversational style, ultimately undermining the woman's confidence and expertise. Critics argue that this practice not only harms women but also negatively affects the mansplainer, who risks alienating knowledgeable colleagues and damaging professional relationships. As awareness of this issue grows, it has sparked discussions about communication practices and the importance of mutual respect in conversations across genders.
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Mansplaining
Mansplaining refers to a situation where men explain something to women in a condescending manner, even when the man has less knowledge of the topic than the woman. The term is usually applied in cases when a man explains something in a chauvinistic way, assuming that the woman has less understanding of the subject simply because she is a woman. The origin of the term is unknown, but the concept emerged around 2008 and was introduced to the cultural consciousness by an American writer. The word itself was added to dictionaries about 2018.
Overview
The term mansplaining is a combination of man and -splain as a variation of explain. It is unclear who first coined the combination, though some sources trace its first appearance to the Russian-based social media platform LiveJournal. The use of -splain instead of explain is a form of speech associated with certain accents. Its use has been traced as far back as 1821 and appears in dialogue by the character Dorothy in The Emerald City of Oz, the 1910 novel by L. Frank Baum.
While the origin of the word is uncertain, the concept of a man condescendingly explaining something to a woman is attributed to American writer Rebecca Solnit. She wrote an essay in 2008 entitled, Men Explain Things to Me, in which she discussed the ways she was patronized and spoken down to by men. Solnit never used the word “mansplaining” in her essay, but her work essentially defined the concept.
A person who engages in mansplaining typically believes their own knowledge of a subject is superior and treats the other person as needing their help in grasping the truth. The mansplainer will often interrupt the other person or completely dominate the conversation. They usually offer explanations without waiting to be asked and deliver them in a way that demeans the other person’s intellect and abilities. The concept nearly always applies to a conversation between a man and a woman he views as inferior. The woman’s education and capabilities are irrelevant to the person doing the explaining.
Mansplaining is generally considered to be sexist behavior. This is the case even if the man is unaware he is mansplaining, as it is believed the practice reflects subconscious prejudices against women. Mansplaining is thought demeaning to women because it assumes they are not as capable or knowledgeable as men. Not only can the practice cause frustration and anger, but it can also affect a woman’s self-confidence and mental health.
Experts say the mansplainer can also be hurt by the practice. In addition to losing the potentially valuable input of knowledgeable women, the mansplainer will be impacted by the negative views others will have of him. The behavior is usually obvious to everyone except the person doing the mansplaining. In the business world, this lack of self-awareness can be costly. Often, women who are subjected to a mansplainer on a regular basis will learn ways to work around dealing with him, which could be detrimental to his relationships and career.
Bibliography
Asare, Janice Gassam. “How Mansplaining Is Negatively Impacting Your Workplace—And What You Can Do to Prevent It.” Forbes, 7 Jan. 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2019/01/07/how-mansplaining-is-negatively-impacting-your-workplace-and-how-to-prevent-it/?sh=5aad2ccc13f1. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Brook, Erynn. “Is the Term ‘Mansplaining’ Sexist? You Asked Google—Here’s the Answer.” The Guardian, 6 June 2018, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/06/is-the-term-mansplaining-sexist-google-autocomplete. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Goodwin, Kim. “Mansplaining, Explained in One Simple Chart.” BBC, 29 July 2018, www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20180727-mansplaining-explained-in-one-chart. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Perlman, Merrill. "'Mansplaining' and Its Offspring." Columbia Journalism Review, 18 Feb. 2019, www.cjr.org/language‗corner/mansplaining.php. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Rutherford-Morrison, Lara. “6 Subtle Mansplanations Women Encounter Every Day.” Bustle, 19 Jan. 2016, www.bustle.com/articles/136319-6-subtle-forms-of-mansplaining-that-women-encounter-each-day. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Solnit, Rebecca. Men Explain Things to Me. Haymarket Books, 2014.
Solnit, Rebecca. “The Serious Side of ‘Mansplaining’ Has Been Lost. That’s Where the Harm Begins.” The Guardian, 9 Feb. 2023, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/feb/09/mansplaining-word-problem-rebecca-solnit. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.