The Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, apologized to the about 150,000 mothers that had their children forcibly taken from them during the 1950s to 70s. The children were then put up for adoption by many local political structures, such as the church and Government. This practice was originally designed to take children away from mothers deemed 'unfit' to care for the child, however the Australian Prime Minister called this "cruel and immoral" during the apology. Many people thought the apology was a long time coming, including many of the mothers who were victim to this practice. However, natives of New Zealand probably cannot expect an apology form their government for the same thing.
The view of the author of this article is that the practice of taking children away from their birth mothers is horrible, and is glad for the apology. This article is important because it shows that governments can think a policy or law is good at one point, then decide that it is unfair, bad, or immoral. It shows how the mindsets of even just a few generations apart are very different.
Source: http://worldcrunch.com/culture-society/australia-apologizes-to-150-000-unwed-mothers-forced-to-give-up-babies/australia-adoption-julia-gillard-tony-abbott-apology/c3s11241/#.UX8YU7WG2Lw
Why did it take so long for the government to apologize? The mothers must have been heartbroken when their children were taken away from them. I wonder why the New Zealand government will not apologize for doing the same thing.
ReplyDeleteWhy would they take so many children? It took them quite a while to apologize...
ReplyDeleteI agree. I had no idea that mothers were forced to give up their children. I think that is just cruel and is not only hurting the mother, but it also hurting the child. I do this that this apology should have happened quite a while ago, as Australia knew they were doing something hurtful to families. I also wonder why New Zealand won't apologize. That is not right. I hope they decide to apologize soon.
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