Nearly两thirds of Women Report Encountering 'Explaining-Like-A-Man' Behavior in the Workplace: Poll
Research indicates that unspoken workplace norms frequently result in miscommunication and detachment. Two instances of this are "hey-hanging" and "mansplaining"–when a man diminishes a woman by explaining to her in a condescending manner. Despite its trivial nature, this behavior demonstrates the amount or lack of regard we have for those we interact with. Recently, a study revealed the frequency of mansplaining, four warning signs to watch for, and the cities with the most workplace mansplainers.
Fresh Insights on Mansplaining
Jeffbet conducted a survey of over 2,000 women in the U.S. about their frequent encounters with mansplaining, where and when it occurs, the topics most commonly mansplained, and their personal experiences with mansplainers in both dating and professional settings. The study's key findings include the following:
- Approximately 56% of women have experienced mansplaining in the workplace.
- The cities with the highest number of workplace mansplainers are Portland, Oregon, Kansas City, Missouri, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
- The field of work/careers is the most common topic women are mansplained about.
- 57% of women have been mansplained to about their occupations or career paths.
- 83% of women have more relevant experience than the mansplainers they encounter.
- Coworkers are the relationship in which women most frequently experience mansplaining.
- Boss/Supervisor ranks sixth.
Four Signs to Watch Out for in Workplace Mansplaining
Recognizing these four warning signs is the initial step towards addressing mansplaining, according to study authors. “Being aware of these behaviors can lead to more respectful and productive conversations, whether you're a woman tired of being talked down to or a man working to avoid becoming one of those guys,” they suggest.
- Over-explaining the obvious. “This isn't about clarifying—it's needlessly elaborating on something a person already understands. For example, a woman describing her job as a software engineer might then be explained the concept of coding by a man. This is not only infuriating for the recipient but also demeaning, implying a lack of competence for no reason other than gender. This behavior might stem from unconscious biases or long-held societal expectations regarding gender roles and expertise. Sometimes, the mansplainer may genuinely believe they're being helpful, unaware of the condescending message being conveyed.”
- Interrupting to correct or clarify. “While interruptions can happen in any conversation, in mansplaining, they often disrupt a woman's point to shift the focus to the man's (usually less informed) perspective. Phrases like 'actually...' or 'well, technically...' may be used even when the woman's statement is accurate. This attitude may stem from a desire to establish dominance or control the conversation, possibly driven by social anxieties about maintaining a perceived social hierarchy. Frequent interruptions can make the woman being mansplained feel muted, invalidated, and reluctant to speak up again in the future.”
- Patronizing tone and/or language. “This might involve speaking in overly simple terms, talking slowly and loudly as if addressing a child, or using derogatory nicknames like 'sweetie' or 'honey' in a professional setting. Language like this undermines a woman's authority and reinforces harmful stereotypes, which in turn preserves the mansplainer's self-confidence. This kind of language can have damaging effects on a woman's career development and overall satisfaction with her job.”
- Ignoring or dismissing a woman’s expertise. “This subtle form of mansplaining occurs when a woman who possesses knowledge and experience in a specific field is disregarded in favor of an uninformed man's perspective, simply because he is male. For instance, a female scientist presenting her research might be disregarded by a male colleague who then offers his (incorrect) analysis. This not only harms the woman's professional standing, potentially impacting her career growth opportunities and overall satisfaction, but also perpetuates the idea that men are inherently more knowledgeable or competent.”
A Final Take on Mansplaining
The researchers of the study observe that Jeffbet's finding that over 56% of women encounter mansplacing at work, 54% in their families, and 39% in their romantic relationships demonstrates that this is an ongoing issue affecting the majority of women in the U.S. "A substantial 59% of women have been mansplained about their work or career field, with 83% of women asserting that they were more knowledgeable about their careers than their male mansplaining counterparts," the study's authors explain.
“Frequently encountering mansplaining about topics such as politics (57%), philosophy (40%), finance (38%), and home maintenance (53%) proves how pervasive this behavior is in our culture and emphasizes the importance of women recognizing the warning signs and addressing it when they experience it,” the study's authors conclude.
In light of the findings, it's important for individuals in careers to be aware of the prevalence of mansplaining, especially in fields such as work or software engineering, where women might frequently encounter this behavior. Furthermore, leadership figures in the workplace should take note of these signs and promote an inclusive environment that values everyone's input and expertise, regardless of gender.
