Hahahaha, both I suppose.
Although, from a young age he's had to look after his younger sister. He taught her how to shoot, how to track and hunt, how to protect herself. But that didn't mean he'd let any asshole near her. Now, with his father's failing health, he looks after him as well, while hunting Golden Geckos in Klamath to be the breadmaker for the family. When his father's health started to slip he requested to be released from the NCR, which he was. So, his protective instincts might be a bit more noticeable.