Have you ever been in a conversation where a man condescendingly explains something to a woman, assuming she has little to no knowledge on the subject? This phenomenon is known as mansplaining. On the other hand, have you ever witnessed a woman explaining something in a patronizing or belittling manner to a man? This is known as womansplaining.
While both terms have been used to describe similar behavior, mansplaining and womansplaining have some distinct differences. Mansplaining refers to the act of a man explaining something to a woman in a condescending or patronizing manner, assuming she has little knowledge on the subject. Womansplaining, on the other hand, is the act of a woman explaining something to a man in a patronizing or belittling manner, assuming he has little knowledge on the subject.
In this article, we will explore the differences between mansplaining and womansplaining, their impact on communication, and how to effectively communicate without resorting to these behaviors.
Define Mansplaining
Mansplaining is a term that refers to the act of a man explaining something to a woman in a condescending or patronizing way, assuming that the woman has less knowledge or expertise on the subject matter. The term is a combination of the words “man” and “explaining.”
It is important to note that mansplaining is not just about explaining something to a woman, but rather the way in which it is done. It often involves interrupting the woman, speaking over her, and disregarding her input or perspective.
Mansplaining can occur in a variety of settings, including the workplace, social situations, and online interactions.
Define Womansplaining
Womansplaining is a term that refers to the act of a woman explaining something to a man in a condescending or patronizing way, assuming that the man has less knowledge or expertise on the subject matter. The term is a response to the concept of mansplaining and is a combination of the words “woman” and “explaining.”
While womansplaining is less commonly used than mansplaining, it is still a phenomenon that can occur. It can happen in a variety of settings, including the workplace, social situations, and online interactions.
It is important to note that while womansplaining is a term that exists, it is not as widely recognized or discussed as mansplaining. This is likely due to the fact that women have historically been marginalized and excluded from positions of power and authority, making it less common for them to be in a position to condescend or patronize men.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the right words in a sentence is crucial to conveying your message effectively. In the case of mansplaining and womansplaining, it is important to understand the context and appropriate usage of these terms.
How To Use Mansplaining In A Sentence
Mansplaining is a term used to describe a man explaining something to a woman in a condescending or patronizing manner, assuming that she has less knowledge or understanding on the topic. Here are some examples of how to use mansplaining in a sentence:
- “He mansplained to me how to do my job, even though I have been doing it for years.”
- “I was mansplained to about the rules of football, even though I have been a fan for years.”
It is important to note that mansplaining is not simply explaining something to a woman, but rather assuming that she needs the explanation and doing so in a belittling manner.
How To Use Womansplaining In A Sentence
Womansplaining is a term used to describe a woman explaining something to a man in a condescending or patronizing manner, assuming that he has less knowledge or understanding on the topic. Here are some examples of how to use womansplaining in a sentence:
- “She womansplained to me about cars, assuming that as a man, I must not know anything about them.”
- “I was womansplained to about sports, even though I have been a fan my whole life.”
It is important to note that womansplaining is not simply explaining something to a man, but rather assuming that he needs the explanation and doing so in a belittling manner.
More Examples Of Mansplaining & Womansplaining Used In Sentences
In order to better understand the concept of mansplaining vs womansplaining, it’s important to examine some real-life examples of how these terms are used in sentences. Here are some examples:
Examples Of Using Mansplaining In A Sentence
- During the meeting, John kept mansplaining the project to me, even though I’m the team leader.
- He mansplained the rules of football to me, even though I’ve been playing for years.
- She was mansplaining the difference between a latte and a cappuccino to the barista, who was a trained coffee expert.
- My male colleague tried to mansplain to me how to use the new software, even though I had already completed the training.
- He kept mansplaining to me how to do my job, even though I had more experience in the field.
- When I asked for directions, the man on the street started mansplaining the route to me, even though I had lived in the city for years.
- He was mansplaining the plot of the movie to me, even though I had read the book and knew the story inside out.
- My boss kept mansplaining the company policy to me, even though I had helped write it.
- He was mansplaining the history of feminism to me, even though I had a degree in Women’s Studies.
- My male friend kept mansplaining his own opinion to me, even though I had made it clear that I disagreed.
Examples Of Using Womansplaining In A Sentence
- She was womansplaining how to raise children to her male partner, even though he was the primary caregiver.
- My female colleague kept womansplaining the best way to organize my desk, even though I had my own system that worked for me.
- She was womansplaining how to cook to her male friend, even though he was a trained chef.
- My aunt kept womansplaining how to knit to me, even though I had been knitting for years.
- She was womansplaining how to apply makeup to her male friend, even though he had no interest in wearing makeup.
- My female boss kept womansplaining how to communicate with clients to me, even though I had a successful track record in sales.
- She was womansplaining the benefits of yoga to her male partner, even though he had been practicing for years.
- My friend kept womansplaining the importance of skincare to me, even though I had my own routine that worked for me.
- She was womansplaining how to dress to her male friend, even though he had his own sense of style.
- My mother kept womansplaining how to clean the house to me, even though I had my own way of doing things.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the terms “mansplaining” and “womansplaining,” it’s important to understand the differences between the two and avoid using them interchangeably. Here are some common mistakes people make:
1. Assuming Only Men Can Mansplain
While the term “mansplaining” specifically refers to men explaining things to women in a condescending or patronizing way, it’s important to recognize that anyone can engage in this behavior. Women can also be guilty of mansplaining, particularly when they are in a position of power or authority over a man.
2. Using “Womansplaining” To Dismiss Women’s Experiences
The term “womansplaining” is not a direct counterpart to “mansplaining.” It’s not meant to describe women explaining things to men in a condescending way. Instead, it’s a term used to describe women’s experiences being dismissed or invalidated by men who believe they know better. Using “womansplaining” to describe any situation where a woman is explaining something to a man can be dismissive of the real experiences of women who have been marginalized and silenced.
3. Failing To Recognize The Power Dynamic At Play
Mansplaining is not just about someone explaining something in a condescending way. It’s about the power dynamic at play when a man explains something to a woman. This dynamic is rooted in a history of men being seen as the authority figures and women being seen as inferior or less knowledgeable. It’s important to recognize this dynamic and the ways in which it can impact communication.
Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes
- Be mindful of the power dynamic at play in any conversation
- Avoid using “womansplaining” to describe any situation where a woman is explaining something to a man
- Recognize that anyone can engage in mansplaining, regardless of gender
- Listen to and validate the experiences of others
Context Matters
When it comes to the choice between using the terms “mansplaining” and “womansplaining,” context is an important factor to consider. The choice between the two can depend on the specific situation in which they are being used.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between mansplaining and womansplaining might change:
| Context | Choice Between Mansplaining and Womansplaining |
|---|---|
| Workplace | In a male-dominated workplace, where men are more likely to explain things to women in a condescending way, the term “mansplaining” may be more appropriate. However, in a female-dominated workplace, where women may be more likely to explain things to men in a similar manner, the term “womansplaining” may be more applicable. |
| Social Settings | In social settings, the choice between mansplaining and womansplaining may depend on the gender makeup of the group. If a group of men are explaining something to a group of women in a condescending manner, “mansplaining” may be the appropriate term. However, if a group of women are explaining something in a similar manner to a group of men, “womansplaining” may be more applicable. |
| Online Discussions | In online discussions, the choice between mansplaining and womansplaining may depend on the specific topic being discussed and the gender makeup of the participants. If a man is explaining something to a woman in a condescending way, “mansplaining” may be the appropriate term. However, if a woman is explaining something in a similar manner to a man, “womansplaining” may be more applicable. |
Overall, the choice between mansplaining and womansplaining can depend on a variety of factors, including the gender makeup of the group, the specific situation, and the topic being discussed. It’s important to consider these factors when deciding which term to use in a given context.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the terms “mansplaining” and “womansplaining” are often used to describe specific types of behavior, there are situations where these labels may not apply. Here are some exceptions to keep in mind:
1. Context Matters
The context of a conversation or interaction can greatly impact whether mansplaining or womansplaining is occurring. For example, if a woman is explaining something to a man in a field where she has more expertise, it would not be considered womansplaining. Similarly, if a man is explaining something to a woman in a way that is respectful and not condescending, it would not be considered mansplaining.
2. Personal Experience
Personal experience can also play a role in determining whether mansplaining or womansplaining is occurring. For instance, a woman may be explaining something to a man based on her own experiences as a woman, which would not be considered womansplaining. Likewise, a man may be explaining something to a woman based on his own experiences as a man, which would not be considered mansplaining.
3. Intentions
The intentions behind the behavior can also be a factor in determining whether mansplaining or womansplaining is occurring. If the person explaining something is genuinely trying to be helpful and not trying to assert their dominance or superiority, it would not be considered mansplaining or womansplaining. However, if the person is being condescending or dismissive, it would likely be considered mansplaining or womansplaining.
4. Power Dynamics
Power dynamics can also impact whether mansplaining or womansplaining is occurring. For example, if a male boss is explaining something to a female employee in a way that is condescending and assumes she does not know what she is doing, it would be considered mansplaining. However, if a female boss is explaining something to a male employee in a way that is respectful and assumes he is competent, it would not be considered womansplaining.
It is important to keep these exceptions in mind when using the terms mansplaining and womansplaining. While they can be useful in identifying problematic behavior, they should not be applied indiscriminately and without consideration of the context and intentions behind the behavior.
Practice Exercises
Now that we have explored the differences between mansplaining and womansplaining, it’s time to put our knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these terms:
Exercise 1: Identify The Type Of Explanation
Read the following scenarios and identify whether the explanation given is an example of mansplaining or womansplaining:
| Scenario | Type of Explanation |
|---|---|
| A male coworker explains to a female coworker how to do a task she has been doing for years. | Mansplaining |
| A female friend explains to a male friend how to apply makeup. | Womansplaining |
| A male doctor explains a medical procedure to a female patient in a condescending tone. | Mansplaining |
| A female teacher explains a math concept to a male student who is struggling to understand. | Not mansplaining or womansplaining |
Exercise 2: Rewrite The Explanation
Read the following sentences and rewrite them in a way that avoids mansplaining or womansplaining:
- “Let me explain it to you in simpler terms.”
- “I know you don’t understand this, so let me break it down for you.”
- “Actually, what you meant to say was…”
Answers:
- “Let me know if you need any clarification.”
- “Can I help you understand this better?”
- “I believe you meant to say…”
By practicing these exercises, you can improve your awareness and usage of mansplaining and womansplaining in your daily life.
Conclusion
After exploring the nuanced differences between mansplaining and womansplaining, it is clear that both terms refer to a type of condescending communication that can be harmful to effective communication and relationships. While mansplaining is often associated with men explaining things to women in a patronizing way, womansplaining can also occur when women explain things in a way that undermines the knowledge or authority of others.
It is important to recognize the power dynamics at play in these situations and strive to communicate respectfully and empathetically with others. By being aware of our own biases and assumptions, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
Key Takeaways
- Mansplaining and womansplaining are both forms of condescending communication
- Mansplaining is often associated with men explaining things to women in a patronizing way
- Womansplaining can occur when women explain things in a way that undermines the knowledge or authority of others
- It is important to recognize power dynamics and communicate respectfully and empathetically
By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, we can improve our communication skills and avoid the pitfalls of mansplaining and womansplaining. Whether through reading books, taking courses, or practicing active listening, there are many ways to become a more effective communicator and build stronger relationships with those around us.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.