paternalistic

Meanings

• adjective

  Characterized by or exhibiting an attitude that condescendingly treats those with less power as inferior and in need of guidance or protection, often paternalistically motivated by concern for their welfare.

  - "The company's paternalistic policies were well-intentioned but created a culture of dependency among employees."
  - "The doctor's paternalistic attitude towards his patients hindered their ability to make informed decisions about their own health."

• noun

  A system or practice in which a powerful entity, such as a government or institution, assumes responsibility for the welfare of those considered less capable, often in a way that restricts their autonomy.

  - "The paternalistic policies of the orphanage provided food, shelter, and education for the children but did not allow them to make their own decisions."
  - "The paternalistic approach of the government towards its citizens stifled innovation and creativity."

---

Rhymes

Words rhyming with paternalistic
patrician , matrician , vatican , atican

---

Variants

List of all variants of paternalistic that leads to same result
paternalism , paternalisms , paternalist , paternalistic , paternalistically , paternalists

---

Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From the Latin paternalis, meaning 'relating to a father' or 'fatherly'. The term was first used in the late 18th century to describe the relationship between a father and his children, and later extended to describe the relationship between those in positions of power and those they seek to protect or guide.

---

Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'paternalistic' was first used in English in the late 18th century.

2. The paternalistic policies of some colonial powers contributed to the resistance and eventual independence movements in Africa and Asia.

3. The term 'paternalism' is often used interchangeably with the term 'benevolent despotism', which refers to a similar power dynamic but with a focus on the benevolence of the ruler towards their subjects.

---

Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. maternalism: A similar concept to paternalism, but focused on the role of women as caregivers and protectors, often with a focus on the welfare of children and families.

2. patriarchy: A social system in which men hold power and women are subordinate, often characterized by paternalistic attitudes towards women and the belief that men are inherently superior to women.

---

Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The term 'paternalistic' has been used extensively in literature and social commentary to critique the power dynamics between those in positions of authority and those they seek to protect or guide. In literature, the term has been used to describe the relationship between characters in works such as George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' and H.G. Wells' 'The Time Machine'. In social commentary, the term has been used to critique the ways in which governments, institutions, and other powerful entities have historically treated marginalized communities.

How to Memorize "paternalistic"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a father figure, such as a king or a school principal, making decisions for those under his care. Visualize the power dynamics at play and the potential impact on the autonomy and self-determination of those being cared for.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the term 'paternalistic' with the image of a protective but controlling figure, such as a parent or a boss. Consider the potential positive and negative consequences of this type of relationship.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Power Over' to remember the meaning of 'paternalistic': it refers to a relationship in which one party holds power over another, often with a focus on protecting or guiding them.

---

Memorize "paternalistic" using Dictozo

The best and recommended way to memorize paternalistic is, by using Dictozo. Just save the word in Dictozo extension and let the app handle the rest. It enhances the memorization process in two ways:

1. Highlighting:

   Whenever users encounters the saved word on a webpage, Dictozo highlights it, drawing the user's attention and reinforcing memorization.
2. Periodic Reminders:

   Dictozo will send you periodic reminders to remind you the saved word, it will ask you quiz. These reminders could be in the form of notifications or emails, prompting users to recall and reinforce their knowledge.