Forced adoption refers to the practice of removing infants and young children from their birth parents and placing them for adoption without their parent's consent. In Australia, forced adoption was a widespread practice from the 1950s to the 1970s. It was primarily aimed at unmarried mothers who were seen as unfit to raise their children due to the prevailing social and moral norms of the time.

These children were raised in adoptive families who were often ill-prepared to deal with the complexities of their situation, and many were not told the truth about their origins. The impact of forced adoption on these children was profound, affecting their mental health, relationships, and sense of self-worth.

Overall, forced adoption was a dark period in world history that caused untold harm and trauma to many families. It serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the rights of parents and children and of ensuring that adoption processes are transparent, fair, and based on the best interests of the child.

Doctors, especially GPs frequently see the profound effects that traumatic events may have on their patient's health and well-being. For many people, including adoptees, parents, and their extended families and networks, forced adoption rules and practices up until the late 1970s in Australia caused severe and long-lasting pain.

The Family Support Unit of the Department of Social Services (DSS) connects patients with GPs and other trained medical experts. The DSS has financed the creation of online training for GPs on forced adoption in order to address the demand for these services. This training aims to increase the number of referral practitioners available to the DSS Family Support Team and provide GPs with the knowledge and skills they need to support their patients who have been impacted by forced adoption policies and practices, ultimately ensuring that those affected by forced adoption can receive the support they need. Doctors who participate in this program can assist patients who have been impacted by forced adoption policies and practices by offering a more thorough approach.

Being a general practitioner, it is normal to see firsthand the devastating effects of forced adoption on the mental health and well-being of mothers and their children. Forced adoption had created many Mothers who were forced to give up their children and often suffered from depression, anxiety, and feelings of loss and grief that lasted for decades. Similarly, the children who were forcibly adopted often struggled with identity issues, separation anxiety, and a sense of abandonment.

In a GPs practice, GPs have had patients who were affected by forced adoption, and GPs have seen the long-term impact it has had on their lives. Many of these patients have struggled with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and have experienced difficulties forming and maintaining relationships.

Forced adoption was often characterized by secrecy, deception, and coercion, with mothers being told that their children had died or had been adopted overseas. The children who were forcibly adopted often grew up not knowing the truth about their origins and were not given the opportunity to connect with their birth families. This lack of knowledge about their history and identity often contributed to their mental health problems.

The trauma of forced adoption was not limited to the mothers and children involved. It also affected extended family members, who often had no say in the matter and were not given the opportunity to provide support. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings were left to grieve the loss of a child or sibling and were often not provided with any support or counselling to deal with their feelings of grief and loss.

It is important to be aware of the ongoing effects of forced adoption on families and to provide support and resources to those who need it. There are now support groups and counselling services available to those affected by forced adoption, and it is important to make patients aware of these resources.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the harm caused by forced adoption in Australia. The government's national apology in 2013 was an important step towards acknowledging the trauma and grief caused by these policies. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that those affected by forced adoption receive the support and resources they need.

Forced adoption was a tragic and traumatic period in Australia's history that caused significant harm to mothers, children, and extended family members. As a general practitioner, it is crucial to be aware of the impact of forced adoption on the mental health and well-being of patients and to provide a safe and supportive environment where they can discuss their experiences. It is also important to be aware of the ongoing effects of forced adoption and to provide support and resources to those affected. By doing so, help can be provided to patients to heal and move forward towards a brighter future.

The world's view of forced adoption has shifted significantly in recent years. What was once seen as a common practice aimed at protecting children and providing them with a better life is now recognized as a traumatic and harmful practice that caused untold harm to mothers and children.

There is now a growing recognition of the harm caused by forced adoption, and many countries have issued apologies for their past practices. In addition, many countries have implemented changes to their adoption laws and policies to ensure that the rights of mothers and children are respected and that adoption processes are transparent and fair.

The impact of forced adoption has also been recognized by international bodies such as the United Nations. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes that children have the right to know and are cared for by their parents, and that adoption should only be considered as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted.

There is also a growing awareness of the ongoing effects of forced adoption on those affected. Many mothers and children who were forcibly separated are still dealing with the trauma and grief caused by these practices, and there is a need for ongoing support and resources to help them heal.

Thus it is safe to say that the world's view of forced adoption has shifted significantly in recent years. It is now recognized as a harmful practice that caused significant harm to mothers, children, and extended family members. There is a growing recognition of the ongoing effects of forced adoption and the need for ongoing support and resources to help those affected heal and move forward. The focus is now on ensuring that adoption processes are fair, transparent, and based on the best interests of the child while respecting the rights of parents and families.