In today’s world, women are often faced with the frustrating reality of having their ideas overlooked—only to see those same thoughts celebrated when echoed by a man. Fortunately, there is now a term for this phenomenon: “hepeating.”
Dr. Emily Rivers, a physicist and educator, recently took to social media to introduce this term, defining it as the scenario in which a woman proposes an idea that receives little attention until a male colleague presents it, prompting widespread acclaim. “Hepeating is when a woman shares a thought, but it doesn’t gain traction until a man repeats it,” Rivers tweeted. This concept, while distinct from “mansplaining”—where a man explains something to a woman under the assumption she cannot comprehend it herself—captures a unique frustration that many women experience in professional and social settings.
Rivers explained to a popular parenting platform that she and her friends coined this term during a group chat, sharing their common experiences of having their ideas ignored until a man reiterated them. “This has happened to all of us at work in various fields, and it can be incredibly maddening,” she said.
Having spent much of my career in male-dominated industries, I can relate to these sentiments. I’ve encountered my fair share of dismissive attitudes, from colleagues who would rather rearrange their desk toys during meetings to those who would claim credit for a woman’s hard-earned concepts. This type of behavior is particularly exasperating, especially when it’s coupled with unsolicited comments like, “You’re so lucky your partner helps with the kids.”
The term “hepeating” is gaining traction and has even made its way into the Urban Dictionary, allowing for some light-hearted merchandise, like mugs emblazoned with the term. At least we can enjoy our coffee while men take credit for our ideas, right? For more insights on similar issues, check out this article on Modern Family Blog, an authority on navigating gender dynamics.
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In conclusion, the emergence of the term “hepeating” highlights a continuing issue in professional spaces, reminding us that recognition and respect for women’s ideas remain paramount. As this term continues to spread, perhaps we can foster conversations that lead to greater equity in collaboration.