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Goodwin, Kim. "Mansplaining, Explained in One Chart." BBC Worklife, 27 July 2018, https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20180727-mansplaining-explained-in-one-chart.

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Mei, Gina. "7 Absolutely Infuriating Examples of Mansplaining." Cosmopolitan, https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a9171951/mansplaining-tweets/.

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Every woman knows what I'm talking about. It's the presumption that makes it hard, at times, for any woman in any field; that keeps women from speaking up and from being heard when they dare; that crushes young women into silence by indicating, the way harassment on the street does, that this is not their world. It trains us in self-doubt and self-limitation just as it exercises men's unsupported overconfidence.

The continuous use of the term mansplaining across the world indicates an underlying truth about the presence of gender inequality in our society. These are the issues Sohit describes in her 2008 essay - issues we have faced for a long time and issues we continue to face today.

While explaining the term ‘mansplaining’ to her grandmother, Schneider, jumps into their conversation and mansplains the term “mansplaining”— a term used to describe when men explain something to women in a condescending or patronizing manner, assuming she is less knowledgeable. However, he ends up doing exactly what he is describing, talking down to her and asking "Does that make sense?". When in reality, Elena is a social activist, fluent in the topic.

This moment is a humorous reversal in the media, highlighting how even well-intentioned men can sometimes inadvertently engage in the behaviour they are trying to critique.

After understanding Goodwin’s theoretical framework, you can see how ignoring these factors leads to mansplaining. In Gina Mei’s article, '7 Absolutely Infuriating Examples of Mansplaining,' we are provided with firsthand accounts of women experiencing the effects of mansplaining.

Prompted with the question: “[W]omen, what’s the most infuriating thing you’ve had mansplained to you?”

These were the results:

“I once had a friend mansplain to my roommate how to ~correctly~ pronounce her own name bc he thought she was doing it wrong” (qtd in Goodwin)

“[A]t the racetrack—where I've worked for 14 years—men regularly try to explain to me how gambling works as I take their bets.” (qtd in Goodwin)

“[M]en regularly try to explain that there weren’t women writing in the Middle Ages (I have a PhD in medieval women’s writing)” (qtd in Goodwin)

“[H]ow to ride a bike. While I’m on my bike. By a guy sitting in the SUV driving next to me.” (qtd in Goodwin)

“[H]ad a journalism student take over my lecture to explain to the class why the math I was doing was wrong. He was wrong.” (qtd in Goodwin)

These anecdotes provide tangible examples of mansplaining–highlighting how this phenomenon makes way into our daily interactions.

This action comes with several benefits. It goes without saying that mansplaining cannot occur if you determine the other party's level of experience. Based on the chart by Kim Goodwin shown to the left, one can effectively determine whether it is appropriate to continue or avoid the act of explaining. The other key benefit is that the conversation becomes more meaningful and productive for everyone. It is nothing but a waste of time to explain to someone a topic they are already an expert at.

2) Wording is key. Acknowledge the other party's possibly experiences with the topic while explaining.

This action helps one set the right atmosphere for the conversation. It expresses that you understand that the other party has their own unique set of experiences and feelings surrounding the topic at hand. Examples include:

"I'm interested in hearing about what you thought, but in my opinion, ..."

"You might know as well, but to my knowledge, ...."

3) Continuously seek input from the other party.

It is optimal to keep the interaction as more of a conversation than an explanation akin to a lecture. If the latter is done, the other party may begin to feel as if they are being "preached" to or even may think that their intellect is not being acknowledged.

Around 82% of people face the impact of imposter syndrome, the belief that one's success is undeserved (Bravata, D. M., et al). The individuals, in particular, are prone to backing down and being victims of mansplaining. Jessica Vanderlan, PhD, states that a key way to overcome this obstacle is to learn the facts (Abramson). If one has true mastery of their field, they will have greater confidence when put in possible mansplaining scenarios. Floss Barber, the CEO of Floss Barber Inc, an interior design studio expressed the following

One time, a project manager insisted that I was the cause of a problem with a carpet and the subsequent delay. In these situations, I stay calm and repeat the facts. When he persisted, I simply said he was inaccurate and that I did not appreciate his aggressive words. He stopped. (Althouse)

Support Others

If you see a situation that may possibly be mansplaining, find the right moment to interject. This can be done in a professional manner by simply asking the oppressed party for their thoughts. This utterance gives the party the opening they need to express and convey their own knowledge on the subject.