Silent Violence: Australia's White Stolen Children

摘要: This thesis makes a significant contribution to the existing knowledge on 'unmarried mothers'. Much of literature mothers' has been written by white, male, middle-class professionals who assume that unwed mothers are happy place their babies for adoption so they can be free pursue other interests, meet men and make new life. However, after interviewing many gave up in 1950s, 1960s early 1970s Australia, I found this was not case. Many had wanted keep but were forced relinquish them families wider society seemed more intent upholding nuclear family values than making available resources needed natural together. My argument throughout is given choice - viable economic socially supported unmarried mothers, typified those whom interviewed, would have parted with babies. Most presumably community at large, experienced much pain grief as result separation which profound lasts forever. Using Marxist feminist theories state post-structural theories, my highlights perceptions memories birthmothers about birthing experience experience, process life consequence. also argue removal working-class from compares some small way indigenous 'stolen children' same period. The Aboriginal children homes cultures referred scholars activists form cultural genocide. While working-class, different it few racial implications, system time patriarchal class-based such left young, women no options adoption. very important our understanding presents largely unwritten history women. Rich voices there conceptual, empirical practical policy implications flowing research findings.