Australian goverment apologies to mothers on how they were treated

In March 2010 the Western Australian government apologised too. Here's an excerpt from the news: "WA is poised to be the first State to publicly acknowledge the aggressive adoption practices which resulted in thousands of mothers being unlawfully separated from their babies after giving birth out of wedlock. Health Minister Kim Hames has revealed he is personally overseeing the creation of a memorial to the families affected by State hospital and welfare practices during the 1940s to the early 1980s." [url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/6889508/state-to-apologise-for-harsh-adoption-acts/]State to apologise for 'harsh' adoption acts - The West Australian[/url]

I'm sorry, I guess an apology and a memorial is nice, but exactly how does that change the lives of those effected? Am I supposed to say, "well, gee, thanks for deciding that I wasn't necessarily feeble minded when I gave birth outside of wedlock and your lives as adoptees weren't so much better not being raised by people like me?"

Because it validates to society the real pain and sorrow so many mothers went through that should never have happened that was compounded by societies snide, nasty, degrading comments, social isolation. To me it would be a public acknowledgement that society condemned them without reason, like a person who spent years in jail for a heinous crime they did not commit, their good name was restored. Kind regards,Dickons

I think my problem is that I'm getting old and cynical. In my experience, changing the law doesn't change the way I am treated by many people.

I think it's a nice gesture, one which will never happen here in America. This country is still mired in the mindset of "you made your bed, now lie in it." I'm positive that there are still many people in our society who think women and girls who become pregnant outside of marriage should be forced to give their babies up for adoption.The Baby Scoop Era -- what a cruel joke that was, besides being one of the greatest social experiments in modern history....

But it has nothing to do with changing the law and will never undue the damage caused. You cannot rewrite history. But it is admitting that actions taken were wrong, damaging, inhumane and should never have been condoned by society. It is also a way to learn from history. Canada apologised to the Japanese citizens that they interned (sp?) in camps during the second world war. What was done to them was horrible, property stripped, lives ruined. So many years later the apology was necessary not only for the survivors but for their children. Countries need to own mistakes and apologise just like the individuals that live in that society. Just like the most recent apology to Ms. Viola Desmond. That apology and free pardon sets the record straight but nothing can undue the actual harm but we must start somewhere. [url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/04/15/ns-desmond-apology-dexter.html]CBC News - Nova Scotia - Rights icon Desmond gets N.S. apology[/url] Kind regards,Dickons

True Dickons. I suppose the cynic in me (following Kathy's lead, only I'm young-ish and cynical!) just prepares for the exasperated, "You're bringing that up again? Remember when we publicly apologized that one time???" Sometimes when something like this happens there becomes this, we apologized can we shut up about it now mentality. I would hope that this is a genuine step in the right direction though.

I agree with Dickons. I also recognize the debate about the significance of words and statements. Are words enough? When the Australian Prime Minister apologized in his nationally televised Sorry speech to the Stolen Generation [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9mJpL67QUw]YouTube - Australia Says Sorry to Stolen Generation[/url]a similar debate emerged. The debate over an official apology still looms over diplomatic relations between Japan and its Asian neighbors regarding the atrocities committed by the Japanese against its Asian neighbors during the Pacific War (eg. the Rape of Nanking, the Korean sex slaves, etc). Imagine if the Germans had never owned up to the Holocaust. While an apology is a step in the right direction, tangible actions such as funding for counselling and other post-adoption services, financial compensation or providing support and services for today's generation of women facing similar unplanned pregnancy dilemmas would be a further steps towards truly 'putting one's money where their mouth is'.

Absolutely!