Assimilation in Australia had a significant impact on the Indigenous population for many generations, therefore, becoming a turning point in the history of Australia. And although the Australian Government presumed that through assimilation, Indigenous people would enjoy and encounter the same standards of living as the white European population, once they had adopted European customs, this was not the case for many Indigenous people who are known as the stolen generation. Regardless of government attempts to improve standards of living and reviews in legislation, the removal of children from their homes affected many generations of the Indigenous population. And although the policy of assimilation occurred during the 1900’s the people of the
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2014. Para 9). Whilst demonstrating the same loyalties as the rest of the Australian European population. The Government acted towards achieving these goals through education, training, health and housing. The Australian Federal and State Government policies (Dudgeon & Hirvanon, 2014. Para, 1) saw the forcible removal of up to 33% of all Indigenous children from their families, during 1910-1970 (Australians together, 2016, Para. 10), where they were assimilated into white European communities in hopes of a natural elimination of the Indigenous culture. And to control the reproduction of the Indigenous people by blending them into non-Aboriginal populations (Dudgeon & Hirvanon, 2014. Para, 4) described as “Biological absorption” (Moran, 2005, p. 177). The Assimilation policy had Indigenous children placed in white institutions or foster homes (walking together, 2017. Para 3) with the prediction that they would willingly become like the white population, and if they lost their Indigenous identity, integration would be easier to achieve. (Australian Government: Australian law reform commission. 2014. Para 10), and this would …show more content…
Some were told their parents had died or left them, were punished harshly, made to work as manual laborers and domestic servants and received a low-level education. Many of these children were shown minimal affection, were left cold and hungry and some even became “physically, emotionally and sexually abused” (Korff, 2017. P.1) while in state care. In addition, the treatment of many Indigenous children saw that they never experienced healthy family situations, therefore, lacking parental skills which was passed down from generation to generation, as well as generations of children being raised in the state care environment. (Australians together, 2016, Para 9). In addition, the assimilation process caused a disruption in the Indigenous oral culture where Indigenous youth was deprived of a significant social environment and were spiritually deprived of one’s land and story (Zeldenryk & Yalmambirra, 2006. P.1) therefore, a lot of the cultural knowledge and language has been lost. Which has had a profound impact on Indigenous communities to this day. These experiences led to a government inquiry into the policy of forcible removal of children in
2014. Para 9). Whilst demonstrating the same loyalties as the rest of the Australian European population. The Government acted towards achieving these goals through education, training, health and housing. The Australian Federal and State Government policies (Dudgeon & Hirvanon, 2014. Para, 1) saw the forcible removal of up to 33% of all Indigenous children from their families, during 1910-1970 (Australians together, 2016, Para. 10), where they were assimilated into white European communities in hopes of a natural elimination of the Indigenous culture. And to control the reproduction of the Indigenous people by blending them into non-Aboriginal populations (Dudgeon & Hirvanon, 2014. Para, 4) described as “Biological absorption” (Moran, 2005, p. 177). The Assimilation policy had Indigenous children placed in white institutions or foster homes (walking together, 2017. Para 3) with the prediction that they would willingly become like the white population, and if they lost their Indigenous identity, integration would be easier to achieve. (Australian Government: Australian law reform commission. 2014. Para 10), and this would …show more content…
Some were told their parents had died or left them, were punished harshly, made to work as manual laborers and domestic servants and received a low-level education. Many of these children were shown minimal affection, were left cold and hungry and some even became “physically, emotionally and sexually abused” (Korff, 2017. P.1) while in state care. In addition, the treatment of many Indigenous children saw that they never experienced healthy family situations, therefore, lacking parental skills which was passed down from generation to generation, as well as generations of children being raised in the state care environment. (Australians together, 2016, Para 9). In addition, the assimilation process caused a disruption in the Indigenous oral culture where Indigenous youth was deprived of a significant social environment and were spiritually deprived of one’s land and story (Zeldenryk & Yalmambirra, 2006. P.1) therefore, a lot of the cultural knowledge and language has been lost. Which has had a profound impact on Indigenous communities to this day. These experiences led to a government inquiry into the policy of forcible removal of children in