Have you ever been in a situation where someone assumes they know more about a topic than you do, and then proceeds to explain it to you in a condescending or patronizing manner? This is what is known as Hacksplaining. Hacksplaining is a particularly harmful phenomenon in STEM fields, where women and other underrepresented groups are often subjected to it by men. In this article, we will explore the impact of hacksplaining, provide examples of hacksplaining, and offer tips on how to avoid hacksplaining. By raising awareness of hacksplaining, we can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone in STEM.
What is Hacksplaining?
What is Hacksplaining?
Hacksplaining is a term used to describe when someone assumes they know more about a topic than they actually do, and then proceeds to explain it to someone else in a condescending or patronizing manner. This can be a particularly harmful phenomenon in STEM fields, where women and other underrepresented groups are often subjected to hacksplaining by men.
The term “hacksplaining” was first coined by software engineer Jessica Su in 2012. Su described hacksplaining as “the act of mansplaining, but about technology.” However, hacksplaining is not limited to technology. It can happen in any field where there is a power imbalance between the explainer and the explainee.
How Hacksplaining Happens
Hacksplaining often happens when the explainer is a man and the explainee is a woman. This is because men are often socialized to be more assertive and confident than women, even when they do not have the same level of knowledge or expertise.
Hacksplaining can also happen when the explainer is a person of color and the explainee is a white person. This is because people of color are often stereotyped as being less intelligent than white people, even when they have the same level of education and experience.
The Impact of Hacksplaining
Hacksplaining can have a negative impact on the careers of women and other underrepresented groups. It can make them feel less confident in their abilities and less likely to speak up in meetings or other professional settings.
Hacksplaining can also create a hostile work environment for women and other underrepresented groups. It can make them feel like they are not welcome in STEM fields and that they do not belong.
| Type of Hacksplaining | Example |
|---|---|
| Condescending | “Oh, you’re interested in coding? That’s cute.” |
| Patronizing | “I know you’re a woman, but I’m sure you can understand this if I explain it slowly.” |
The Impact of Hacksplaining
Hacksplaining Can Make Women and Other Underrepresented Groups Feel Less Confident in Their Abilities
When someone is hacksplained to, it can make them feel like they are not as smart as they actually are. This can be especially damaging for women and other underrepresented groups, who are already often made to feel like they are not as good at STEM as men.
For example, a study by the American Association of University Women found that women who were hacksplained to were less likely to participate in class and were less likely to pursue careers in STEM.
Hacksplaining Can Create a Hostile Work Environment for Women and Other Underrepresented Groups
Hacksplaining can also create a hostile work environment for women and other underrepresented groups. When women are constantly being talked down to and explained to, it can make them feel like they are not welcome in STEM fields.
For example, a study by the National Center for Women & Information Technology found that women who were hacksplained to were more likely to leave their jobs in STEM.
| Type of Hacksplaining | Example |
|---|---|
| Condescending | “Oh, you’re interested in coding? That’s cute.” |
| Patronizing | “I know you’re a woman, but I’m sure you can understand this if I explain it slowly.” |
Hacksplaining Can Discourage Women and Other Underrepresented Groups from Pursuing STEM Careers
Hacksplaining can also discourage women and other underrepresented groups from pursuing STEM careers. When women see that they are not being taken seriously in STEM fields, they may be less likely to want to pursue a career in STEM.
For example, a study by the Pew Research Center found that women who were hacksplained to were less likely to say that they were interested in pursuing a career in STEM.
Examples of Hacksplaining
Condescending Hacksplaining
Condescending hacksplaining is when someone talks down to you and makes you feel like you’re not as smart as they are. They might say things like, “Oh, you’re interested in coding? That’s cute.” or “I know you’re a woman, but I’m sure you can understand this if I explain it slowly.”
This type of hacksplaining is often done by men to women, but it can also happen to people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized groups.
| Type of Hacksplaining | Example |
|---|---|
| Condescending | “Oh, you’re interested in coding? That’s cute.” |
| Patronizing | “I know you’re a woman, but I’m sure you can understand this if I explain it slowly.” |
Condescending hacksplaining can be really harmful. It can make you feel bad about yourself and make you less likely to speak up in class or at work.
Patronizing Hacksplaining
Patronizing hacksplaining is when someone explains something to you in a way that makes you feel like they think you’re not very smart. They might use big words or technical jargon, or they might talk to you like you’re a child.
This type of hacksplaining is often done by people who are in a position of power, such as teachers, bosses, or older people. It can be really frustrating and disrespectful.
Patronizing hacksplaining can make you feel like you’re not good enough. It can also make you less likely to ask for help or to try new things.
How to Avoid Hacksplaining
Hacksplaining can be a harmful and disrespectful behavior. It can make people feel bad about themselves and less likely to speak up. If you want to avoid hacksplaining, here are a few things you can do:
- Be aware of your own biases. Everyone has biases, but it’s important to be aware of them so that you can avoid letting them影響 your interactions with others.
- Listen to what people have to say. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk. Really listen to what people are saying and try to understand their perspective.
- Don’t assume that you know more than someone else. Just because you have more experience or knowledge in a particular area doesn’t mean that you know more than someone else. Be open to learning from others.
- Be respectful of others. Treat others the way you want to be treated. This means being polite, considerate, and open-minded.
| Type of Hacksplaining | Example |
|---|---|
| Condescending | “Oh, you’re interested in coding? That’s cute.” |
| Patronizing | “I know you’re a woman, but I’m sure you can understand this if I explain it slowly.” |
By following these tips, you can help to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for everyone.
Here are some additional tips for avoiding hacksplaining:
- Use inclusive language. Avoid using language that is exclusive or dismissive of certain groups of people.
- Be mindful of your tone of voice. Your tone of voice can communicate a lot about your attitude. Be sure to use a respectful and open-minded tone of voice when speaking to others.
- Be willing to apologize. If you realize that you have hacksplained to someone, be willing to apologize. Apologizing shows that you are aware of your mistake and that you are committed to being more respectful in the future.
By following these tips, you can help to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for everyone.
Final Thought
Hacksplaining is a serious problem in STEM that can have a negative impact on the careers of women and other underrepresented groups. It is important to be aware of hacksplaining and to challenge it when you see it. By creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone in STEM, we can help to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
