Learning Reflection: Stolen Generation Essay 2022

Running head: LEARNING REFLECTION: STOLEN GENERATION
Learning Reflection: Stolen Generation
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1LEARNING REFLECTION: STOLEN GENERATION
Description
In module 2 we were discussing as a group about how has historical phase or
legislation affected the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health. While we were
discussing the legacy of assimilation- stolen generation caught my attention. Many of the
children from Aboriginal communities taken away from their parents, were raised by non-
Aboriginal parents or an institution which is known as stolen generation (O’Donnell et al.,
2019). In this essay, I reflect on the learning of this topic using the Gibbs Reflective model
(Reljić, Pajnkihar & Fekonja, 2019).
Feelings
Feelings before being exposed to the issue
Before listening to the lecture, I thought that the reason that the Aboriginals and the
Torres Strait Islanders people suffer from heightened medical maladies is because of their
own choices and reluctance to access healthcare. I felt that the mental and physical health
issues are mostly due to their lifestyle and tendency to abuse substances. I thought, that the
challenges that they faced are due to their own boundaries but I did not know why those
boundaries were there.
How did you feel now after being further informed about the issue?
Now that I have been informed further about this topic and learnt about the policies
that enabled the assimilation and led to stolen generation, I felt quite shocked. Though I had
learnt about some of the common health determinants, this learning helped me in
understanding the unique determinants that affect this group like culture, social support and
identity and their importance. The assimilation led to trans-generational trauma that led to

2LEARNING REFLECTION: STOLEN GENERATION
large scale mental illnesses among the population group (Bono, 2017). This generation
experiences stereotyped treatment in the society due to the same thought process as I had and
it got me thinking about the aboriginal’s perspective on matters.
Critical Evaluation
Was it good or bad? Why do you think this way?
Through the learning I realized that the condition of the aboriginals are not solely due
to their reluctance. Even if it is due to their reluctance, the reluctance itself has deep relation
with assimilation policy and the stolen generation. Thus, it is biased to attribute all the causes
solely to them. The trans-generational trauma that they face are mostly due to the
governmental policies and discrimination that they have faced (Menzies, 2019).
How do you think you knew what you knew?
My knowledge about the health and experience has been limited and gathered through
previous education and what I have gathered from social interactions. Due to this reason, I
had many assumptions and biases that clouded my judgment which I think I need to be more
mindful about. I realize that common misunderstanding and misappropriation easily becomes
stereotypes while it takes much learning and reflection to rectify those mistakes.
Was your response to the issue or topic due to an experience and/or limited
consideration or understanding of the issue?
My response to the issue of aboriginal stolen generation was due to lack of knowledge
and understanding as well as previous experience. The previous learnings that I had were
inadequate in lifting my biases and inform my assumptions. The social interactions also