Have you ever been talked to in a dismissive or condescending way by someone you know is less knowledgeable or experienced than you? Has someone ever explained a subject or issue to you assuming you were uneducated on it? This happens more often than most people think, especially because of the underlying prevalence of misogyny in society.
Being spoken down to is experienced by everyone regardless of gender identity. Misogyny, a type of sexism directed toward women, can perpetuate itself into other forms of oppression that cause harm. In general, misogyny is considered to be a consequence of patriarchy, wherein society is male-dominated and is fundamentally upheld by the oppression of women and other marginalized groups.
A common but sometimes overlooked example of misogyny that occurs in conversations and other forms of communication is “mansplaining.”
Mansplaining is a term used to describe the way that women are often treated dismissively in conversations with men. Writer and activist Rebecca Solnit described women’s subjugation to silence at the hands of men in her essay “Men Explain Things to Me,” which she wrote before mansplaining was considered a word. “The battle for women to be treated like human beings with rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of involvement in cultural and political arenas continues, and it is sometimes a pretty grim battle,” Solnit said.
Solnit pointed out in an introduction to her essay that she was not trying to make generalized assumptions about men as a whole, rather that mansplaining is “not a universal flaw of the gender, just the intersection between overconfidence and cluelessness where some portion of that gender gets stuck.” Not all men mansplain, but mansplaining is something men often tend to do, whether purposefully or not.
When does explaining cross the line and become mansplaining? The difference lies in context and intent, according to Psychology Today. Crossing the line into being dismissive and condescending when speaking to someone is what sets mansplaining apart from just simply explaining. Therefore, this type of harmful communication often reflects a specific power dynamic in which one person has the power to silence the other.
“I wish people understood that misogyny doesn’t just hurt women, but also turns them against other women and limits the minds of younger generations of women. A man’s fear of being overpowered by a woman leads to generations of women being silenced,” Liz Bonnette, a senior production and design major, said.
Anja Moore, a sophomore English major, agreed that the prevalence of mansplaining negatively impacts how women perceive themselves. “I think women who believe mansplaining isn’t real are those who aren’t confident in the validity of their own knowledge,” Moore said.
Women have been silenced and pushed aside as a result of misogyny all throughout history. The idea that mansplaining is not a real issue is one that Bonnette does not agree with. “After not being taken seriously over and over again, after being talked over and ignored for years and after being hated just because I was feminine, I find it hard to believe this isn’t a real issue,” Bonnette stated.
Mansplaining doesn’t just silence women, it also makes them feel discouraged and often leads to women being less confident in themselves.
“When someone speaks in a condescending way, it can feel frustrating and discouraging, especially when you know you’re capable or informed. It can make you feel like you have to prove yourself more than others just to be taken seriously,” Katie Rion, a junior English major, said.
Rion added that mansplaining can slowly affect confidence and participation. “When your ideas are questioned or talked over repeatedly, it can make you hesitate before sharing your thoughts,” she said.
How can we fight back against this? It starts with acknowledging the problem and listening to women’s advice.
“I don’t necessarily think that this mindset is the fault of each individual man, but it is definitely something that each individual man could make an effort to unlearn. It starts with giving women more space to speak and practicing active listening instead of waiting for your turn to talk,” Moore said.
When women’s insights are dismissed, the world is robbed of essential perspectives. During Women’s History Month, we reflect on the contributions that women make to society; however, it is essential to be aware of these issues year-round. It is everyone’s responsibility to uplift others and create welcoming spaces for all voices.
