You’re a graphic designer and a great one at that. You’re having a conversation with a group of peeps and one man (who’s not even a designer) tries to explain design to you. Well, you’ve just been “mansplained”, my lady. Mansplaining is when “a man talks condescendingly to a woman about something he has partial knowledge of, with the assumption that he knows more about it than the lady he’s talking to does.” Social media is abuzz with women sharing how they’ve been mansplained about different things — from menstruation to how to pronounce their own last names!
Singer Sparsha RK of Neene fame is someone who loves being mansplained. “It’s entertaining how some men want to be superior all the time. When I get to know that they know nothing, I have a good laugh. Social media is infected with mansplaining maggots,” she says. Not many are aware that the songstress has an MSc in Microbiology. “I’ve had people talk to me about microbial infections or anything with regard to microbes like they know microbes personally,” she states, adding, “My mother is the principal of a government college and there are some men who just can’t digest the fact that a woman is in a higher position. They’re always trying to give advice. Sadly, it’s still a patriarchal society.”
Actress Meghana Mudiyam states that the term does call out a pretty common situation for most women. “It’s bad enough when it comes up at school/work or even socially, but it can be downright dangerous when it happens at the level of policy making — for example, when men are making decisions about what is needed and not for women’s healthcare without any input from women. It’s the same thing on a much larger level.”
Mayank Rungta, proprietor, The Idea Breweries, admits to having mansplained a few women, including his mum! “If a lady points out a flaw in my driving, I take more offense than if a guy did it. But, I’m glad that such words are surfacing. Social media helps put things in check about oneself. I know many men do it. It’s something I’d like to cut down on. I’m not sure guys are ready to handle that women are equal or better. That’s why the excessive need to step in and explain. Thankfully, I’m surrounded by women who keep putting me in my place.”
Designer Arunima Goswami shares that she’s faced such situations with both genders. “I love to listen. Explanations are great — but not in a way where the person’s intention is to dominate rather than explain. I don’t turn a deaf ear when men prove me wrong with correct logic and explanations — I enjoy it. But if a person assumes that he/she knows more than me, then irrespective of the gender, the person is wrong.”
