What was the primary purpose of the removal of Aboriginal children from their homes between 1900 and 1972?

The primary purpose of the removal of Aboriginal children from their homes between 1900 and 1972 was to assimilate them into European society. This policy, often referred to as the "Stolen Generations," was premised on the belief that Aboriginal culture and identities were inferior. Authorities aimed to integrate Aboriginal children into white society by placing them in foster homes or institutions where they were educated in the ways of European culture and often prohibited from using their native languages or practicing their cultural traditions.

This assimilation policy was justified by claims that it would offer better opportunities, including education and employment, but fundamentally it was an effort to extinguish Aboriginal identities and cultures. The consequences of these actions have had longstanding impacts on Aboriginal communities, contributing to social and familial dislocation, as well as intergenerational trauma.

While other options may reflect aspects of broader attitudes and consequences of these policies, such as segregation or misguided notions of protection, the main intent was clearly assimilative in nature. The official government stance at the time expressed a desire to ‘civilize’ Aboriginal people by integrating them into the dominant European culture.