What sense can be made out of the stolen generation situation

What sense can be made out of the stolen generation situation

The term Stolen Generations means Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia children who were taken from their families by the Australian federal and state governments and church missions between approximately 1905-1969. This policy sought to ‘assimilate’ indigenous children into white Australian society, which, among other things, means loss of cultural, family, social, and psychological sense of self.

 The Climate of the Stolen Generations Situation

 Historical Context: The so called Stolen Generations policy was one among these policies which was designed with the idea of abolishing indigenous cultures and forcing them to become part of European Australian society. It was for the reason that the indigenous cultures were considered inferior and it was believed that assimilation would ‘bless’ the indigenous people.

 Impact on Individuals and Communities:Impact on Individuals and Communities:

 Loss of Identity: But due to that many children were forcefully removed from their families’ and hence from the community they also lost cultural Identity. This loss has thus had a profound and lasting impact on the personhood, and therefore the identity of Indigenous Australians.

 Psychological Trauma: Or the separation of children from families and the prevailing harassment in the institutions have raised severe mental problems and current mental disorders.

 Disruption of Social Structures: Taking children away disturbed the basic family and social frameworks and the cohesive factors for communities.

 Societal Implications:

 Intergenerational Trauma: Indigenous peoples in Australian societies that were the targets of Stolen Generations policy are still experiencing social and health inequalities up to the third generation.

 Cultural Erosion: This policy also entailed denial of traditional education and culture as a result of which, it has not been easy to regain them.

 Government Apologies and Reconciliation:

 Formal Apologies: The Stolen Generations has been apologized to the Australian government, perhaps the most contentious apology by the former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the sorry day speech in 2008. These apologies admit injustices done and the suffering caused thereto.

 Reconciliation Efforts: Since then there have been attempts at reconciling especially through offering services to those who were affected, there have been recognition of the Indigenous people’s cultures and try to revive them and policies that were adopted to try and balance the disadvantages that the Indigenous Australians had.

 Ongoing Challenges:

 Healing and Support: Some of the support services which are still required are mental health services and support that are culturally specific in helping those affected following the Stolen Generations to heal.

 Acknowledgment and Education: Therefore it is important that continuous learning of the effects of these policies and acknowledging the injustices committed by the society is sought after in order to attain reconciliation and ensure that similar injustices are not committed in the future.

 References:

 Australian Human Rights Commission. (2023). Bringing Them Home Report. Available from the Australian Human Rights Commission Website

 Reconciliation Australia. (2023). Our History. Retrieved from Reconciliation Australia