Question

Describe the impact that one (1) of the following historical events, government policies or legislation has had on the current health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, families and individuals (approximately 200 words) Stolen generations

Describe the impact that of the following events, government policies and legislation has had on the current health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, families and individuals ( approximately 200 words) Land rights movement

Answer 1

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, health is not just a matter of physical ability and normal functioning of individuals. It is also the social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the community. A psychosocial perspective throws significant light on hot ekey aspects of the negative effect of the  history of colonisation in Australia on the social and emotional wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ppopulation. Important factor in this regard has been the government policy of forced removal of Aboriginal children, popularly known as the issue of Stolen Generations.
This historical incidence is rooted in the discourse of racism,and stereotypes and lack of understanding of indigenous cultures by the mainstream White residents of Australia.

Form the point of view of health and collective well being of the community and the individuals, the Stolen Generations created the experience of a collective trauma for the indigenous generations by separating families, causing generations of children to live as abandoned, orphaned generation devoid of any support and care in their formative years, As a result, It led to Significant changes in their emotional and behavioural lives. Some of the include:

Abnormalities or Maladaptaions in Development and age related mastery of skills and tasks that is out of step with peers at a similar age and stage

A visible deterioration in their capacity for emotional security and engaging in creative play that seems limited and repetitive

Difficulties in attachment and relationships with family and other caregivers

Being emotionally withdrawn, fearful, or anxious most of the time

A greater tendency towards Maladaptive and uncontrollable anger, feelings of distrust and aggressive behaviour.

On the collective level, it created social resentment and a generalised feeling of helplessness and victimisation in the community and further reinforced in-group an out-group biases thereby increasing the rifts between the Aboriginal and White communities.