Paternalism (Noun)
Meaning
The attitude (of a person or a government) that subordinates should be controlled in a fatherly way for their own good.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The new government policy has been criticized for its paternalism, dictating what citizens can and cannot do in their personal lives.
- Many social programs have been accused of paternalism, assuming that recipients are unable to manage their own affairs without guidance.
- The teacher's paternalism towards her students was evident in the way she dictated every detail of their project, leaving little room for creativity.
- The government's paternalism towards indigenous communities has been a longstanding issue, with policies imposed on them without consultation or consideration of their unique needs.
- The charity's paternalism towards its recipients has been criticized for perpetuating a cycle of dependency rather than empowering them to make their own decisions.