Mansplaining is probably one of the most annoying male behaviors towards women. Even if you are not familiar with the term, most likely, you have experienced it.

The irritation spark sets off gradually. First, you are in a casual discussion about common everyday concerns around you. Then it starts. The male pulls himself back and starts to blurb out a lecture.

You get instructions on exactly how you should proceed with what you have been doing perfectly well for ages with a set of implicit ‘terms and conditions’! Having researched facts and figures, you have a decent grasp of your subject and suddenly, the male element of the interaction begins with a monolog to lay out the basic terms without even assessing your level of knowledge.

Now a male probably thinks females need instruction. Women are known not to have a grasp on numbers and policies right. Males tend to believe they have unique insight. An article in Cosmopolitan, seventeen examples of these kinds of ‘women need to be educated’ are reflected upon.

One example is that a man kept on insisting a woman pronounced her own name incorrectly! Another respondent, an employee at a racetrack for about fourteen years, noted that male customers often start to explain to her how gambling functions when she takes their bets.

The term of this behavior is ‘Mansplaining.” It is defined by the Urban Dictionary as the patronizing behavior of males towards females. It is when a man speaks condescendingly to a woman, believing that she is ignorant when in fact, his personal knowledge on the topic is incomplete.

He just cannot fathom that she just may have more insight into the topic than he does!

Psychology and communication research papers need to catch up with mansplaining cultures.

In a recent publication by Northeastern University, Joseph Reagle examines the alienation of women in the online communities and refers to ‘geek feminism.’ When women enforce their obligation to research well, they are “accused of PMS”.

The investigation of ‘geek culture is identified by Reagle as a Unicorn Law concern. Unicorns like ‘technical women‘ are rare or invisible unless they reveal themselves. Male geeks brag about technical abilities, but women do not take note of their accomplishments.

This is when mansplaining becomes seeded and roots out. Men become overconfident of the abilities they possess and assume women need instructions and education. If women do rise and challenge, they are accused of PMS.

Recourse If a ‘Mansplainer’ Is Within Your Life System

The best way to deal with mansplaining is tobecome conscious of the situation. Mansplaining is about assuming you do not know what you are saying when you know that you did. It makes you feel deficient; Refrain from questioning yourself and what you are capable of.

Realize that the problem standing in line is not yours. Do not reinforce the insinuation that you need the ‘education.’ The condition of mansplaining is easy to remedy. Be aware of its existence, whether you may be the victim or the perpetrator of it.

Show respect for beliefs and attitudes in interactions, as well as, most importantly, the knowledge possessed by individuals you interact with.



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This Post Has 38 Comments

  1. Jon Fortuna

    Its a very offensive term to begin with.

  2. Caglan Bagci

    Sad to see people focusing on an aspect of human communication, presenting it a negative way and assigning it to a gender. Humanity may be better served by saying that some people some times take over conversations and speak with an assumed authority they may or may not have.

    1. Panagiotis K.

      Every article reflects a personal experience and opinion of the writer. We like to present every point of view in the different aspects of life.

      If you have a different opinion on the matter, then, you may want to consider writing something you want to share with the world. We are always open to positive topic suggestions Caglan.

  3. Michael Kuc

    this is a more indepth look at a concept i have only heard about 2 times not knowing what it actually was.

  4. Mick Jackson

    Well, I learned something from Facebook today. I’m gonna make sure I’m not guilty of Mansplaining in future.

  5. Lindsay Menelaws

    It can irritate quite few men as well.

    1. Cheryl Lynn Gibbs Bowen

      Yep, my husband didn’t like it when I explained that red clothes can’t be washed with whites and why the whites turned out pink. He was irritated and amazed at the same time 😉

  6. Jacqueline D Jackson

    Oh yeah, just experienced this literally as I was reading this article. Can I smack him in the head with this shovel?

    1. Les Anderson

      If you wish. LOL BTW…… I didn’t counsel you on this subject, OK?

  7. Stuart Gordon

    Jennifer Burns I can explain to you what this means later

    1. Jennifer Burns

      Thanks honey, I am so lucky to have a smart man like you to guide me

  8. Gay Gacon Matthews

    You’re right,,,,it’s bloody annoying!!

  9. Dimitris Karagiannis

    None man can be ”wrong” against a woman with a great personality.
    The behavior of a man is a looking glass of what a woman worths.The same thing goes on the opposite….

  10. Marie Salibay

    Jonalyn Nuñez Salas, u gotta read this.

  11. Dominique Henry

    we don’t care. they don’t have nothing between their legs.

  12. Aaron Hepler

    Women asking a bunch of stupid fucking questions is annoying too. Are you really this dumb or are you too lazy to figure it out yourself?

    1. Joanna Lanum

      Whatever happened to “there are no stupid questions” ? Something’s gone askew.

    2. Aaron Hepler

      Asking a question you can figure out the answer to is asking a stupid question. Asking a question should be the last resort, not your first course of action.

      1. Ed Hare

        Yes, if she has your Aunt Tilly’s phone number in her address book, don’t ask for it, because if you go to one of the online “find people” sites, after a few tries, you may find the one that publishes phone numbers without your having to create an account to see it. You should only ask her if you go to a few dozen sites that don’t have the number.

    3. Kevin DelCol

      Aaron Hepler answering a question is never a problem. Best friends make best soul mates.

  13. David Squires

    and of course….women never do anything to irritate us…smh 🙁

  14. Zane Russell

    In other words:
    “Literally everything”

  15. Go Paolo

    Not nearly as annoying as women labeling as rapists just by existing

  16. Naomi Jones

    Not taking care of their children.

  17. Johnny Martinez

    pull out method? not telling them chivalry bullchit, breathing, being alive and conscious giving them orgasms and babies, not liking their fake hair and makeup or their dietry lifestyle just about everything that is not bullchit women dont like

  18. Radovan Kunca

    These Are Not The Droids You’re Looking For …. Ehm, I’ve meant women. 😀

  19. Michael McIlroy

    Oh, i’m surprised. Thought it’d be exist.

  20. Jane McDonnell

    Breathing ?!!!!!!!

  21. Mark Evans

    Get over it!

  22. Kevin DelCol

    Some women aren’t bright. Some men aren’t very bright either. Take your pick. This is very bias and; sexist – opinionated topic. Plain sexism.

  23. Gigi Milans

    And what is the most annoying thing that a woman does to a man?

  24. Duane Richard Speirs

    The one thing woman do that irritates men is…..get a headache after the penis is erect

  25. Luis Knowles

    Not even going to click. Everything we do annoys most of them. Smh

  26. Mateusz Petromichelis

    racism mansplaning and all these new terms are made by lefties that can’t stand superior personalities.

    1. Ed Hare

      Superior personalities know how to correctly use capitalization, grammar and punctuation. Here is your sentence written correctly:

      Racism, manspaining and all of these news terms are made up by lefties that can’t stand superior personalities.

      1. Matt

        Wrong, i can say whatever I want and how I want it to be said. Beta male needs to correct others, coz of low self esteem, I did my bachelor sir so no need to teach on Internet such person as myself. Focus on yourself instead as alpha male does

  27. Michelle Waters

    breathing that’s the most irratating thing a man can do.

  28. Shara

    This is not my reality. Either you empower yourself as a woman or you don’t.

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