'Mansplaining'

So what is 'mansplaining' anyways... as defined by Wikipedia (I know what you're going to say, but work with me here):

"Mansplaining is a blend of the word 'man' and the informal form 'splaining' of the verb 'explaining' and means 'to explain something to someone, characteristically by a man to woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronizing'"

I also know what you might say...

"Oh this isn't fair to men"

"But not all men are like this..."

"I'm just trying to help you out..."

"blah, blahblah blah blah..."

This might sound insensitive, but it is a problem that women have to deal with on the daily, ask the majority of us and we will most likely be able to give you a specific example on the spot.

'Mansplaining' could be due to a lack of respect, an ignorance towards others, overconfidence, or maybe just a lack of social cues... however it does need to stop.

It is obviously also relevant to student life and the museum field... I will now supplement this with a few of my very own examples.

Peer 'mansplaining':

There are two men in particular that I have interacted with directly, and will both obviously remain nameless.

*To note, they are also at least 8 years older than myself, an important fact in the consideration of 'mansplaining,' since I would say on average this is a key demographic.*

One of these two men in particular is outrageous in the amount he mansplains, not just in my view, but in the majority of my female peers (yes we have talked about this before). He is returning after a PhD, the first red flag in my mind (although nothing wrong with wanting to get more education of course). However, it would seem that having a PhD, and then going back to a Masters entitles him to be overconfident in the depth of his knowledge, which he continuously reminds all of us. This PhD, not in the subject matter we are in might I add, should not allow him to continuously 'lecture' us on information that he believes we do not know (obviously we do, we are in the same lectures, learning at the same time).

An added bonus to this fact is that he does not understand any social cues when talking to women.

I'll leave this with a very specific example:

Part of our degree allows us to take trips to other museums and learn about their 'behind the scenes.' (Which, I would say is one of my favourite parts of this Masters). However LITERALLY every single field trip that we go on, this man asks: "who wants to take MY tour of this museum, I know all the exclusive parts, MY tour is the BEST" (yes he has said this before, I'm not joking). What comes into my mind is: how do YOU have the authority over a museum professional to give us a tour of this museum? Have you worked here before? - and the answers are always obviously NO. As a result, those who do not respond to this question do not have to face an hour of condescension and an over-inflated ego.

Ooh I just remembered an even worse example. Hold onto your seats gals... One of these trips in particular, the professional that gave us a tour, a very informative lecture as well, was a woman, (which was refreshing because a large percentage was men). At the end of this talk, this man (as previously mentioned) goes up to this museum professional and says roughly the following:

"I have noticed that several of the informational cards on the displays are wrong... This has been an issue before in which I have emailed in numerous times... I still haven't received an answer on any of them and continue to see this happening, and continue to email in. Nothing has changed within the museum, this is an issue, why haven't I received a response, why haven't you done anything about it, you need to fix this..."

When I overheard this, I was dumbfounded, so was the museum professional. For one, this man's background is not in science, this museum professional's (a woman) career is within this (Science) museum. You do the math - someone who makes their career around informing the public in science and studying audience engagement, through this museum, is being bombarded with and accused of misinformation and avoidance. I literally have no words to express how condescending this man sounded, to a professional no less.

Authority 'mansplaining':

Worse yet, are the examples of men who are in a position of power over women. This next example is of a lecturer on the subject of media within and outside the museum.

Let me paint you a little picture of what he looked like... a middle-aged 'frat boy' that just couldn't let his glory days go - which in more specific terms: a bright polo shirt with the collar popped up, an attempt at a quiff hairstyle, and unflattering jeans - the perfect picture of an ivy-league frat boy from any American film, I'm sure you have the image now in your heads.

This lecture was based around the discussion of how museum's can use technology to their advantage - whether that be marketing, advertising, management etc... Also an important fact, is that the majority of the students in this lecture hall were millennials. Now millennials, wouldn't you think we understand the importance of media when most of our lives are revolved around it? This is where 'mansplaining' comes in:

A man explaining a concept, in which his audience is most likely more of an expert than himself. This is not to say in any way discrediting the knowledge he does have, however this is definitely underestimating how much millennials know about social media and its power in the modern age.

The next example is of the other lecturer, the same day as the last, with the topic of technology used within the museum (whether that be kiosks or interactives). This man was quite a bit older than the last lecturer mentioned. (Even more of a red flag) As well the powerpoint he was using to educate - millennials no less - about the need for technology in museums was made in 2008. Almost ten years before the lecture took place. How is this relevant to what media is like now, or even technology within the museum? How can you educate THIS audience with information almost ten years old and still be relevant?

You might say, 'oh give them some slack, there might be a reason why they are like this.' 'They might be trying to help' 'their intentions are probably pure,' 'they might not realize they are doing it...'

Well yes, this might be the case, but it does not excuse them from being condescending and obnoxious towards myself and other women in this course, or anyone for that matter. This might also be a generalization for this course, however it is justified since the majority are women.

These men obviously need a wake up call, however IS IT my duty as a women, or any other women's duty to educate them...or should it be in 'his' hands to educate and change? I think there should possibly be both, we should inform men of the impact they have when being condescending... however realistically why should it be up to us? We are not their mothers, nor always their educators, shouldn't they pull their weight as well?

In the name of equality, effort should be no exception.

In all seriousness though, condescending and overconfident men are obviously everywhere. And yes I know 'not all men' however enough that it is a problem, that's the important part. A 'lovely' perk of the patriarchy (sarcasm yes, if you can't tell). I don't want to seem like an overly radical feminist, a definite way to get a lot of harsh backlash. However, this needs to be addressed if anything is going to be done. So PLEASE... be more considerate, think before you speak, be aware that you might have less knowledge on a certain subject than others, LISTEN!!! Lastly have some respect for your fellow mankind (which includes women).

*I still do not have a sign off... For now... see ya later gals!

*Also as a somewhat unrelated note, I just saw 'Battle of the Sexes' - an amazing movie I must say, it was everything I wanted it to be - also same directors as 'Little Miss Sunshine' - knew from that it had to be good - if you can, please do see it and give it support, great example of sports and pay equality during the 2nd wave of feminism!!!