An action is paternalistic if it is done for a person's benefit regardless of the person's consent.

-- from Latin "pater" (father), although fathers do not always behave paternalistically.

Mill rejects paternalism: "[A person's] own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant [for exercising power over any member of a civilised community against his will]. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right."