What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paternalism
Example
The government's paternalistic policies aim to protect citizens from harm. [paternalistic: adjective]
Example
The CEO's paternalism led him to make decisions for the company without consulting his employees. [paternalism: noun]
maternalism
Example
The teacher's maternalism towards her students created a warm and caring classroom environment. [maternalism: noun]
Example
The organization's maternalistic policies prioritize the health and safety of its employees. [maternalistic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paternalism is more commonly used than maternalism in everyday language, especially in political and social contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paternalism and maternalism?
Both paternalism and maternalism are formal words that are typically used in academic or professional settings.
