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Gender neutral term for 'paternalistic'

English Language & Usage Asked on July 25, 2020

Some political policies, such as a sugar-tax, can be described as ‘paternalistic’ meaning that they treat the population as children and the government as a parent that ‘knows what’s best for them’.

Note that this term isn’t necessarily disparaging. I personally would describe a sugar tax as a paternalistic policy, and I also support them.

But paternal typically relates to ‘being a father’ rather than ‘being a parent/being a caregiver’.

Is there an alternative word that means the same thing in a political context?

There is ‘nanny-state’, but this is typically always used to disparage such a policy, I’m looking for an objective, neutral term.

3 Answers

Parental. I suppose. It falls in between maternal and paternal.

Answered by John1085 on July 25, 2020

Perhaps Avuncular.

Avuncular (əvʌŋkjʊləʳ) adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]: An avuncular man or a man with avuncular behaviour is friendly and helpful towards someone younger.

[Collins English dictionary]

Answered by Packard on July 25, 2020

Progenitoristic

…doesn’t exist, but I imagine that will not bother its target audience. (You might wish to add the suffix “al” before someone else does.) However it might be considered to discriminate against those who are not reproductively functional.

Answered by David on July 25, 2020

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