Mansplaining: The Systematic Sociocultural Silencer

Abstract

This presentation will examine the phenomenon of mansplaining and how it affects men and women both linguistically and culturally. Mansplaining is a systematic and institutionalized form of oppression that silences women, implicitly disclosing the lesser value of the female voice. This presentation demonstrates that mansplaining is not only as the way in which men make needless explanations to women, usually in a condescending manner, but also as the chronic interruption of women. Topics include the differences in the life-long socialization of men and women; political, religious, and cultural examples of mansplaining; and the violence exercised on women in relation to mansplaining. Evidence for this presentation was drawn from academic studies spanning the last thirty years to substantiate claims of discrimination between men and women and how they are allowed to express themselves.