WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

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