Paternalistic
Ideology
The Affects on Slaves and Women
Kristin Oberiano
The Ideology
• Paternalistic comes from the word paternal which means
“related through father.” This means that mean were seen
as superior to others.
• White men viewed themselves as “the custodians of the
welfare of society… and of the black families they owned.
• They thought of themselves as not oppressors but
benevolent guardians of an inferior race.
Affects on Slaves
• Because of the Paternalistic
Ideology, slaves were seen as
inferior when compared to the
whites.
• This idea became increasingly
popular in the south and slavery
became more widespread.
• The cruel acts continued, but the
owners believed that they were
covered by the thought that they
were following the Paternalistic
Ideology.
Affects on Women
• Women were also seen as inferior race
therefore they fall under the
Paternalistic Ideology.
• Upper-class southern women were
raised to be a wife, mother, and
subordinate companion.
• They were not allowed to challenge
the rules of society.
• Young girls were sent to boarding
schools that would make them feel
alienated and emotionally unfulfilled.
Affects on Women
• Women were expected to marry
young and quickly. In doing so they
would give all their rights to their
husband and become part of the
husbands family. This happens in
planter-class women.
• Many times the husbands would
commit affairs with the slaves and
bear children. The women were not
allowed to discuss this problem and
would play the” ostrich game”
• Women were oppressed and acted
often as trophy wives.