The act of explaining anything to a woman in a condescending manner, supposing she couldn’t possibly know anything about the subject, is known as mansplaining, as the name indicates.
Many guys, like you, could believe they are not responsible for this troublesome conduct. The issue is that mansplaining may look so innocent and can become so ingrained that it’s sometimes hard to identify.
It could even be motivated by a sincere desire to impart knowledge or advise on a subject you’re enthusiastic about rather than by malicious intent.
Nevertheless, mansplaining may gravely hurt your relationship, according to couples therapists. You may be mansplaining without even recognizing it if your spouse hasn’t called you out on it. Therefore, how can you determine if you accidentally mansplain? What steps can you take to alter your behavior? Experts urge you to be aware of the following.
Mansplaining is bad since it suggests your spouse doesn’t know or understand anything. This type of conduct can undermine trust in a partnership and give your spouse the impression that you don’t value them.
Mansplaining might also give your spouse the impression that you don’t believe in their intelligence or competency. Their self-esteem may suffer as a result, and they could get frustrated. Even worse, it could make them less inclined to talk to you about their issues and thoughts.
You’ve now understood that you occasionally engage in mansplaining. Do not worry; this does not imply that you are a “bad” person or even an uncaring partner. Simply put, it implies you should pay a little more attention to how you interact with your significant other.
Imagine you’re out on a date with a new person and you start chatting about one of your specialized interests, such as carpentry, mountain biking, or beer brewing. Ask as to whether she’s tried it before rather than assuming you need to explain your pastime. Explain it to her if she shows curiosity and doesn’t appear to know anything about it.
Keep in mind that listening is always preferable to talking when dealing with mansplaining. Your spouse is sure to feel heard, recognized, and appreciated if you can demonstrate a real interest in their opinions, ideas, and experiences.