What did plantation owners mean when they described the master-slave relationship in terms of "paternalism"?

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Paternalism referred to the idea that slaves were like children who needed guidance and care from their masters in exchange for their labor and obedience. The master-slave relationship was seen as a familial one, with the master as the head of the household responsible for the wellbeing of his slaves. This justification was often used to defend slavery as a benevolent institution that benefited both master and slave.

What Did Plantation Owners Mean When They Described the Master-Slave