A common objection to paternalism concerns its expressive content. Many reject paternalistic policies and actions on the ground that they arguably involve insulting expressions of disrespect toward those subjected to them. The paper challenges this view. It argues that refraining from acting paternalistically can be disrespectful. Specifically, the paper argues that there is a relevant way in which A disregards the moral worth of B if A stands idly by when B is about to act very imprudently. If true, treating others with equal respect and concern, as relational egalitarians and others rightly ask us to do, will somewhat surprisingly sometimes involve treating them paternalistically.

对家长式主义的一个普遍反对意见涉及其家长式表达的内容。许多人拒绝家长式的政策和行动，理由是它们可以说是侮辱对受制于他们的人的不尊重。本文对这一观点提出了挑战。它认为避免家长式行事可能是不尊重人的。具体而言，该论文认为，如果当B即将采取非常谨慎的行动时A袖手旁观，A就会忽略B的道德价值。如果属实，以关系平等主义者和其他人正确地要求我们这样做的方式，以平等的尊重和关心对待他人，有时会令人惊讶地涉及到家长式地对待他们。