Aboriginal Assimilation

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Pages: 3

The 20th century was a challenging time for Aboriginal peoples in Australia, as they struggled with new rights and freedoms. Since the arrival of white settlers in Australia, the treatment of the country's indigenous population has gotten worse. To safeguard the Aboriginal people, the Australian governments have imposed various policies and regulations, including "the policy of protection," assimilation, integration, paternalism, and self-determination. These measures have progressively deprived the Aboriginal people of their rights and freedoms.

The policy of protection was linked to the act of paternalism, which had two goals: to conserve and protect aboriginals and to teach the existing people about western civilization. Aboriginals suffered hatred, discrimination, and a decline in their way of life as a result of the goal to safeguard the indigenous population. For example, under the policy, aboriginals may be transported to reservations at any moment, they needed permission from the government to marry a white person, and they were prohibited from voting. Over the past century, Aboriginal people have been compelled to accept protectionism. Because practicing and adhering to
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This policy encouraged aboriginal people to modify their ways of life and assimilate to the culture of 'white people'; individual aborigines were supposed to absorb and adapt to white civilization. This policy was portrayed as beneficial for the indigenous community. The Assimilation programme was difficult to enforce since aboriginal people retaliated and battled for their rights, as well as the preservation of their culture and identities. This resulted in the 'Stolen-generation', which involved the compelled removal of aboriginal children from their lands and families. The youngsters were then placed in institutions or adopted by white families. As a result, the programme of assimilation