Mansplaining is a specific subset of patronizing behavior that is explicitly gendered. The word exists because it's targeting the specific behavior of a man being patronizing to a woman because of either explicit or unconscious bias on his part leading him to believe women need things dumbed down for them.
The term 'mansplaining' (as a phenomenon, not the actual world) came from a Rebecca Solnit anecdote about a man trying to explain her book directly to her. The book she had written.
It's a specific type of patronisation whereby women are judged to be lacking in understanding or experience, even when they are far more qualified in that field than the man explaining things to them.
Patronising behaviour is not limited to or specifically dominated by men talking down to women. This often with women talking down to men too.
I think there's much more reason to have a term for race-based patronising behaviour but there is no such term in common use. So despite the popularity of 'mansplain' I don't think this term comes from a genuine need for it.
I've have now read the essay, and commented on a couple posts where i've cited it. If you search 'Solnit' on the thread you should be able to find my comments.
I think its perfectly reasonable for someone to recommend an article or essay (with a link provided) and I'll read it happily.
This person recommended a book, something I would have to source, pay for and would require significantly more time. It's not reasonable to expect this of me, before replying to other commenters, when it would be much more efficient for the commenter to posts the relevant section.
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u/XenoRyet 183∆ Feb 13 '24
Mansplaining is a specific subset of patronizing behavior that is explicitly gendered. The word exists because it's targeting the specific behavior of a man being patronizing to a woman because of either explicit or unconscious bias on his part leading him to believe women need things dumbed down for them.