Mansplaining

Theresa May Calls Out ‘Mansplaining’ in Parliament. But Was It?

By MEGAN SPECIA

Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia outside 10 Downing Street on Wednesday. Credit Will Oliver/European Pressphoto Agency

In the age of the #MeToo movement, the use of the term “mansplaining” — to point out patronizing explanations made by men to female counterparts — has become increasingly mainstream.


So mainstream that it’s now been used by Britain’s prime minister in the House of Commons.

Prime Minister Theresa May denounced comments by Jeremy Corbyn — the opposition leader who criticized her for meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia ahead of International Women’s Day — as “mansplaining” during a session on Wednesday.

“Can I thank the right honorable gentleman for telling me that it’s International Women’s Day tomorrow? I think that’s what’s called mansplaining,” Mrs. May said, shooting a cold stare at Mr. Corbyn, before defending her meeting with Prince Mohammed during his visit to Britain. She said she planned to raise human rights concerns during the meeting.

Mrs. May followed up the comment with a message on Twitter directed at Mr. Corbyn that included a definition of the term from the Oxford Dictionary.

Earlier, during time set aside for members to direct questions to the prime minister, Mr. Corbyn had criticized Mrs. May’s decision to meet with the prince.

Mr. Corbyn began by saying that International Women’s Day, observed on Thursday, was “a chance to both celebrate how far we have come on equality for women, but also to reflect on how far we have to go.” He then detailed Saudi human rights abuses, including those against women.

“Will she also call on the crown prince to halt the shocking abuse of human rights in Saudi Arabia?” he concluded.

British social media users disagreed on whether Mr. Corbyn’s comments constituted mansplaining. Some said that Mrs. May’s use of the term seemed defensive, invoked to avoid criticism of her welcome of the prince.

Theresa May calling out Corbyn for mansplaining is a perfect example of when 'feminism' is used by women to distract from their own participation in oppression ie. Theresa May meeting with MbS today, a man who supports the 'guardianship system".

Others saw it as a valid point and applauded Mrs. May for standing her ground in an institution long dominated by men.

Either way, a small bit of history was made on Wednesday — the day “mansplaining” was uttered by a prime minister on the floor of Parliament.