M2 - Learner Manual

9.4. Effects on Kinship Structures

The effects and impact on kinship structures was immense. Often, Indigenous children who were removed were not being able to identify their families and communities when they sought to return. This was largely due to incorrect, poorly kept or non-existent records. Today many people are still searching for family and connection to Country. In effect traditional kinship structures had changed, with people marrying outside their Tribe or marriage lines, and into other groups that were not traditionally associated with. This in many instances saw the end of ‘promised” or arranged marriages. 

Over many years, Indigenous peoples have raised concerned about the removal of their children and the impact on their identity and cultures. As stated at the First National Conference on Adoption in 1976:

'Any Aboriginal child growing up in Australian society today will be confronted by racism. His best weapons against entrenched prejudice are a pride in his Aboriginal identity and cultural heritage and a strong support from other members of the Aboriginal community.'