the strict father model is discussed by george lakoff in his books, including "moral politics," "don't think of an elephant," "the political mind," and "whose freedom?". in these books, the strict father model is contrasted with the nurturant parent model. lakoff argues that if the metaphor of nation as family and government as parent is used, then conservative politics correspond to the strict father model. for example, conservatives think that adults should refrain from looking to the government for assistance lest they become dependent.