Origin: Greek suffix -ism
Maternalism has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
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"
motherly care; behavior characteristic of a mother; the practice of acting as a mother does toward her children
The treatment of people in a motherly manner, especially by caring for them as a mother would care for her children.