paternalistic

/pəˌtɜrnəˈlɪstɪk/
adjective
  1. Acting like a father figure by making decisions for others in a way that is protective but limits their freedom or independence.
    • Some find the school's paternalistic rules about dress code and behavior too controlling.
    • The charity was criticized for its paternalistic approach, treating local communities as unable to solve their own problems.
    • The manager's paternalistic style meant he often overruled his team's ideas for their own good.
What does "paternalistic" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean