Paternalistic deception is
deception
Deception or falsehood is an act or statement that misleads, hides the truth, or promotes a belief, concept, or idea that is not true. It is often done for personal gain or advantage. Deception can involve dissimulation, propaganda and sleight o ...
that is apparently performed for the deceived individual's own good by a person assuming a
paternalistic role, whether they are their actual parent or not. It is justified by the good it attempts to produce towards the deceived individual's well-being.
An example of paternalistic deception would be a doctor telling a parent that their child is doing well, even though they know that they are going to die. The doctor acted paternalistically to spare the parent's feelings.
Issues
* If the deceived individual could judge, would they consent to being deceived? This leads those acting paternalistically to defend their actions against their deception that it was therefore in the deceived individual's best interest.
* If the deceived individual discovers they have been lied to, problems may go unsolved and unnecessary resentments may linger, whether it was done in their best interest or not.
See also
* Beings that some parents tell their children are real:
Easter Bunny,
Santa Claus
Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a Legend, legendary figure originating in Western Christianity, Western Christian culture who is said to Christmas gift-bringer, bring ...
,
Tooth Fairy
The Tooth Fairy is a fantasy figure of early childhood in Western and Western-influenced cultures. The folklore states that when children lose one of their baby teeth, they should place it underneath their pillow or on their bedside table and t ...
*
Lie-to-children
*
Lying by omission
*
Noble lie
*
Paternalism
Paternalism is action that limits a person's or group's liberty or autonomy and is intended to promote their own good. Paternalism can also imply that the behavior is against or regardless of the will of a person, or also that the behavior expres ...
*
Psychological manipulation
References
Further reading
*
*
Parenting
Deception
{{Social-psych-stub