The GuardianThe Guardian

Let me mansplain: Studies reveal impact of condescension

By Linda Geddes

03 Feb 2023 · 4 min read

Editor's Note

Over the past few years, the term “mansplaining” has exploded. Yet, there has been little research about its impact. A new report sheds light on how it negatively affects women, reports The Guardian.

Let me explain this to you slowly, to make sure you understand. Mansplaining is a made-up word, that combines the words man and explaining to describe when a person – usually a man – provides a condescending explanation of something to someone who already understands it.

Just because I am a woman doesn’t mean I can’t be guilty of something akin to it, but female recipients are more likely to respond negatively to male mansplainers doing it and to feel like their competence is being questioned, data suggests. They also speak up less frequently after it happens, which could have consequences for workplace contentment and productivity.

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