Abstract (eng)
In recent years the Australian government has implemented legislation which dramatically curtailed Aboriginal peoples' rights and has led to a sharp increase of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care. It is a cause for alarm as similar policies in the past century have eventuated in the forcible removal of probably tens of thousands of Aboriginal children, now known as the Stolen Generations.
The intention of this diploma thesis is to provide an understanding and raise awareness for the current developments and the negative effects to be expected which is accomplished by two approaches: First, by identifying and examining the circumstances which have already led to a state-controlled system of forcible family separation in Australia in the 20th century. Second, by reviewing four exemplary female Stolen Generations autobiographies (Unna You Fullas and Wandering Girl by Glenyse Ward, Auntie Rita by Rita Huggins and Jackie Huggins, and My Ngarrindjeri Calling by Doreen Kartinyeri and Sue Anderson), providing authors' biographies and book summaries, and discussing the most prominent issues and features of each text.
The consideration of the historical development reveals efforts of genocide and segregation, eugenic ideas underlying assimilationist approaches, and racially discriminatory welfare practices, all of which were designed to meet the socio-economic conditions of the time. The autobiographies in question bear witness to the misanthropic treatment of indigenous and mixed-descent children and the often destitute living conditions of Aboriginal people. Impaired physical and mental health, marginalisation, and cultural alienation can be noticed as the long-term effects of childhood institutionalisation.