Another "stolen" generation?

There is a report coming out today into the removal and placement of Aboriginal children who are in need of care and protection. If the media reports are correct then there will be increased demands that Aboriginal children who need out-of-home care are placed only with family or within cultural and community boundaries. The author of the report, April Lawrie, is apparently saying, "Keeping our kids with our families with our communities, being connected to culture and country is important, it's a fundamental right." It is actually a legislated right as well - and we didn't need a "Voice to Parliament" to get that legislation in place.   

The report claims that one in two Aboriginal children are the subject of welfare reports but only one in twelve non-Aboriginal children are the subject of such reports. What's going on?

I passed over the day's blog post to my friend M... a couple of days ago. Reading that again I think there is a problem there that cannot be fixed by legislation. It cannot be fixed by a Voice. It cannot be fixed by well meaning attempts to keep children with their natural parents when the circumstances are not in the best interests of the child.

Ideally all children should be brought up in a loving, stable environment by their natural parents. You don't need to be wealthy to bring your children up that way.  Being "poor" is not an excuse for poor parenting. 

The three Aboriginal women who came here recently are, without doubt, good mothers. They want the best for their children. They also demand the best from their children. It has not been easy for them but their children have attended school on a regular basis. At least one of them is aiming on continuing his education beyond school. They likely will get jobs because they will have a record of good school attendance. As they will be able to read and write English they will have the capacity to read documents and seek advice. They may be rebellious teenagers but they will almost certainly settle down to be responsible adults. 

Do you see where I am going? M.... says Aboriginal people have to learn to take more responsibility for themselves. I think he is right but I also think that all parents have to take responsibility for their children. They need to have expectations of them.

On Monday T... across the road was washing the family car. His father was supervising, telling him how it was done. While he was doing that his father was also pulling out weeds along the fence line with some help from the younger boy.  It took a couple of hours from their holiday Monday morning and their father had to be available to help. He sees it as part of the parenting role just as their mother expects them to help with meal preparation. It is exceptionally good parenting and it is very demanding. Not all parents are prepared for that or willing to do it.

I know it works though because T... came over and put my rubbish bin back in place. I don't need to do it. He believes it is his job just as it is his job to go to school, do his homework and do the other things his parents have taught him to do. No doubt he will have some "teenage" issues but he will end up as a responsible adult.

Perhaps what some Aboriginal people, those who are struggling to parent appropriately, need is more guidance about the responsibilities and realities of parenting. There are people in their own communities who do it so why aren't they being used to teach?