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Paternalistic for Dummies

adjective

pronunciation: pʌ,tɝrnʌ'lɪstɪk

What does Paternalistic really mean?

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Paternalistic is a word that describes a way of treating others that is similar to how a father might treat his child. It means taking care of someone, making decisions for them, and sometimes even being a bit controlling. Imagine if you were going out with your friends, and your dad was worried about your safety, so he decided to go with you and make sure everything was okay. That would be a paternalistic approach. It's like someone thinking they know what's best for you and making decisions on your behalf, even if you might not necessarily agree with those decisions.

Sometimes, people use the word paternalistic to talk about a specific kind of behavior between different groups of people. For example, let's say there are two countries, Country A and Country B. Country A might have more power and resources, and they might think they should take care of Country B because they believe they know what's best for them. In this scenario, Country A would be acting in a paternalistic way toward Country B. It's like a big brother watching over a younger sibling and telling them what to do.

So, in a nutshell, paternalistic means treating someone like a father figure, making decisions for them, and sometimes trying to control them. It can also refer to a behavior where one group of people believes they know what is best for another group and acts accordingly.

I hope that helps you understand what paternalistic means! Is there anything else you'd like me to explain?

Revised and Fact checked by Linda Miller on 2023-10-29 19:54:20

Paternalistic In a sentece

Learn how to use Paternalistic inside a sentece

  • When a parent tells their child what time they need to be home, it can be considered a paternalistic rule.
  • If a teacher decides what activities the students will do without asking their opinion, it can be seen as a paternalistic approach.
  • A boss who makes decisions for their employees without considering their input is showing paternalistic behavior.
  • In some traditional cultures, the older family members may have paternalistic attitudes and make decisions for the younger generations.
  • A doctor who doesn't fully explain the treatment options to a patient and decides the best course of action without their involvement is being paternalistic.

Paternalistic Similar Words

Words that similar to the original word, but are not synonyms.