I've said this word in class a few times, but I'm not sure you get what it means.
"The attitude (of a person or a government) that subordinates should be controlled in a fatherly way for their own good." citation
"Paternalism refers usually to an attitude or a policy stemming from the hierarchic pattern of a family based on patriarchy, that is, there is a figurehead (the father, pater in Latin) that makes decisions on behalf of others (the "children") for their own good, even if this is contrary to their wishes.
It is implied that the fatherly figure is wiser than and acts in the best interest of its protected figures. The term may be used derogatorily to characterize attitudes or political systems that are thought to deprive individuals of freedom and responsibility, only nominally serving their interests, while in fact pursuing another agenda." citation
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Detail of beadwork from an Ojibwe medicine pouch
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4 comments:
I get what your saying. I saw some of that irony in "The Indolent Boys"
so the american government took a paternalistic approach to the native americans, feeling that they knew best and forced Indians to do what they necessarily didnt want to do.
there are lots of examples of paternalism in the indolent boys in that their is lots of pursuasion to make indians think the same way as whites
i agree with the previous comments, the author of "The Indolent Boys" shows many examples of paternalism.
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