maternalism
n 1: the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth
and affection of or befitting a mother; "the girl's
motherliness made her invaluable in caring for the
children" [syn: {motherliness}, {maternalism}, {maternal
quality}, {maternity}]
2: motherly care; behavior characteristic of a mother; the
practice of acting as a mother does toward her children