STOLEN GENERATION Meaning and
Definition
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The term "stolen generation" refers to a dark period in Australian history that took place between the late 1800s and the 1960s. It specifically denotes the forced removal of Indigenous Australian children from their families and communities by the Australian government and various institutions. These children, who were largely of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, were placed into state-run institutions, missions, foster families, and adopted by non-Indigenous families without consent from their parents or communities.
The practice of removing Indigenous children was motivated by policies aimed at assimilating Indigenous people into Western society. It sought to eradicate cultural identity and heritage by severing familial, cultural, and spiritual connections. The children were often taken away inconsistently and abruptly, leading to emotional trauma, loss of language, and disconnection from their Indigenous culture.
The stolen generation has had enduring and intergenerational impacts on Indigenous communities. Many of the forcibly removed children experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in the institutions. The loss of cultural knowledge, languages, and connection with family and community has perpetuated a cycle of cultural dislocation and identity struggles.
In recent years, acknowledgment of the atrocities committed during the stolen generation era has grown. The Australian government has issued apologies for these past policies and has launched initiatives to support the healing and preservation of Indigenous cultures. The term "stolen generation" has become synonymous with the immense injustices suffered by Indigenous Australians and serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for reconciliation and respect for their rights and heritage.
Etymology of STOLEN GENERATION
The term "Stolen Generation" is derived from the word "stolen" which means to take something unlawfully without the owner's consent. "Generation" refers to a group of individuals who were affected by a particular event or circumstance during a specific timeframe.
In the context of Australian history, the term "Stolen Generation" specifically refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families by Australian government and welfare agencies between the late 1800s and the 1970s. These children were separated from their parents, families, communities, and cultural heritage, which has had significant and long-lasting impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their identities.
The term gained prominence in the 1980s with the publication of the report titled "Bringing Them Home", written by the Australian Human Rights Commission, which delved into the systematic removal of Indigenous children from their families.
