paternalism
The policy or practice of people in positions of authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of subordinates or patients in their supposed best interest.
In medicine, 'weak paternalism' might involve overriding a patient's choice if they are incapacitated, while 'strong paternalism' involves overriding a competent patient's choice.
Word relationships
- authoritarianism: Authoritarianism is about control for the sake of power; paternalism is control for the sake of the 'victim's' own good.
- autonomy: Autonomy is the right to make one's own choices, the opposite of having choices made for you.
Commonly confused with
- patronage: Patronage is support or financial aid; paternalism is restrictive guidance.
Word family
- paternalistic (adjective): Relating to or characterized by the exercise of paternalism.
Collocations
- medical paternalism
- state paternalism
- soft paternalism
Example sentences
- "The shift toward patient-centered care has largely replaced the medical paternalism of the past, where doctors made all the decisions." Critique of old-fashioned medicine.
- "Paternalism consists in the use of coercion to achieve a good which is not recognized as such by those who are coerced." Political philosophy.
Memory hook
Pater (Father) + ism. Treating someone like a child who needs a father to decide for them. Father knows best.
When not to use
Don't use it to describe actual parenting; it's a metaphor for authority figures acting like parents.
Fun facts
- The term 'paternalism' first appeared in the late 19th century to describe the way factory owners managed the personal lives of their workers.
Related words
Explore more words
patronizing, coercion, authoritarian, benevolent, autonomy, condescending
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.