Gender neutral term for 'paternalistic'

Some political policies, such as a sugar-tax, can be described as 'paternalistic' meaning that they treat the population as children and the government as a parent that 'knows what's best for them'.

Note that this term isn't necessarily disparaging. I personally would describe a sugar tax as a paternalistic policy, and I also support them.

But paternal typically relates to 'being a father' rather than 'being a parent/being a caregiver'.

Is there an alternative word that means the same thing in a political context?

There is 'nanny-state', but this is typically always used to disparage such a policy, I'm looking for an objective, neutral term.

Solution 1:

Parental. I suppose. It falls in between maternal and paternal.