Mansplaining: Understanding the Gender-Based Communication Gap
Have you ever been in a situation where a man interrupted you, talked over you, or explained something seemingly obvious to you? If you have, then you’ve probably experienced mansplaining.
What is Mansplaining?
Mansplaining refers to the act of a man condescendingly explaining something to a woman, often on a topic about which the woman is more knowledgeable or experienced.
Mansplaining is a gender-based communication gap that exists between men and women. It stems from societal conditioning that teaches men to believe that they are entitled to dominate conversations and impart knowledge on others, especially women.
As a result, men will often interrupt women, patronize them, and assume they know more about a topic than they actually do. Some potential reasons why men engage in this behavior includes entitlement, narcissism, and societal expectations.
Men who engage in mansplaining may do so because they feel entitled to share their opinions and knowledge with others, particularly with women. This entitlement may come from societal expectations that males must dominate and lead in conversations.
Examples of Mansplaining
To illustrate what mansplaining looks like, let’s consider some examples:
Example 1
A woman is speaking with a male acquaintance about climate change. She starts to explain her views on the topic when the man suddenly interrupts her, saying, “Actually, what you’re saying is only partially correct. Let me explain it to you.”
Example 2
A woman is giving a presentation on her research to a mixed-gender audience. During the presentation, one of the men in the audience begins to ask repetitive questions that she has already answered.
He then proceeds to lecture her on the topic as if he understood it better.
Example 3
A woman is at a party with a group of friends, including some men. She mentions that she is an engineer and is working on a particular project.
One of the men interrupts her, saying, “Oh, really? I used to work as an engineer too. Let me tell you about how I did it.”
Gender Roles in Communication
The communication gap between men and women can be attributed to the assigned roles in society. Women are often assigned the role of the “ingnue,” which means they are expected to be passive, agreeable, and deferential to men.
On the other hand, men are expected to be assertive, dominant, and interruptive. Therefore, women are more likely to be interrupted, and men are more likely to interrupt.
Studies on Gender Differences in Communication
Numerous studies have been conducted on the differences in communication between men and women. One study found out that men interrupt women more often than women interrupt men.
Another study showed that men talk more than women which is another contributing factor to mansplaining.
Rebecca Solnit’s Essay “Men Explain Things to Me”
Rebecca Solnit’s essay “Men Explain Things to Me” is one of the most famous works on mansplaining.
In it, she recounts a story in which a man explained a book to her, seemingly unaware that she had written it. Solnit compares the experience to the photographer Eadweard Muybridge’s study of motion, with the man as the subject in motion.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, mansplaining is a manifestation of the gender-based communication gap that exists between men and women. As a society, we need to recognize that women have a right to be heard and to share their knowledge and experiences.
If we can understand how to listen and communicate more effectively, we can bridge this gap and work towards creating more equitable conversations and interactions. So let’s commit to actively listening to others and appreciating their unique perspectives.
Together, we can change the world.
How to Shut Down a Mansplainer: Effective Strategies
Mansplaining is a pervasive problem that many women face in their daily lives.
It is not only irritating but harmful to one’s self-esteem and confidence. Being on the receiving end of mansplaining can be compared to being served soggy bread – it’s unpleasant and unnecessary.
Fortunately, there are effective strategies to shut down a mansplainer and reclaim control in conversations.
The Need to Shut Down a Mansplainer
One of the most effective ways to shut down a mansplainer is to ask insightful questions. This will shift the power dynamic in the conversation and prompt the mansplainer to reflect on their behavior.
For example, if someone is explaining chess to you despite your vast experience in the game, you could ask, “Is there something about my qualifications or experience in chess that makes you think I need an explanation?” By asking this question, you are drawing attention to the mansplainer’s assumption that they know more than you.
Educating on Mansplaining
Another approach is to educate the mansplainer on what mansplaining is and how it can be harmful. Often, people are unaware that they are engaging in mansplaining behavior.
By increasing awareness, you can create a more equitable conversation. For example, you could say, “Did you know that when you explain things to me that I am already well aware of, it can come across as condescending and make me feel like you don’t value my knowledge and experience?”
Calling Out the Behavior
In some situations, it may be necessary to call out the mansplainer’s behavior directly. This can be done in a confrontational but respectful manner.
For example, you could say, “I appreciate your input, but I have a lot of experience with this topic and feel confident in my understanding of it. Your behavior suggests that you do not value my expertise or knowledge, and I do not appreciate it.”
It’s important to use direct language and communicate your own experience and knowledge to make your point.
Body language can also be used to reinforce your message and show that you are not comfortable with the behavior.
Disengaging
If all else fails, it may be best to disengage from the conversation entirely. This is particularly true when dealing with someone who is prone to mansplaining and is unlikely to change their behavior.
We are not obligated to accept unsolicited advice, even if it comes from a random uncle at a family gathering.
In closing, mansplaining can be frustrating and damaging to one’s mental health and confidence.
However, there are effective strategies to shut down a mansplainer and take back control of conversations. By asking insightful questions, educating on mansplaining, calling out the behavior, and disengaging when necessary, we can establish more equitable conversations and interactions.
In conclusion, mansplaining is a pervasive gender-based communication gap that exists between men and women. It is a result of societal conditioning that teaches men to dominate conversations and impart knowledge on women.
However, we have seen that effective strategies such as asking insightful questions, educating on mansplaining, calling out the behavior, and disengaging when necessary can help us shut down mansplaining. By recognizing the damaging effects of mansplaining and taking action, we can create more equitable conversations and interactions and work towards a more inclusive society.
