stolen generation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic, Historical, Journalistic, Formal
Quick answer
What does “stolen generation” mean?
A specific term referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia who were forcibly removed from their families by government agencies and church missions, as part of official government policies from approximately the 1860s to the 1970s.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific term referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia who were forcibly removed from their families by government agencies and church missions, as part of official government policies from approximately the 1860s to the 1970s.
The term is used to describe both the collective group of people who were removed and the historical period and policy itself. It has become a central concept in discussions of historical trauma, cultural genocide, and reconciliation in Australia.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is primarily used in Australian English and is understood in all English varieties due to its historical significance. There is no distinct British or American variant; it is a proper noun referencing Australian history.
Connotations
In all English varieties, it connotes state-sanctioned injustice, cultural destruction, and intergenerational trauma. Outside Australia, it may be less immediately familiar but carries the same gravity when understood.
Frequency
Highest frequency in Australian English. Low frequency in British and American English outside specific historical, political, or human rights discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “stolen generation” in a Sentence
the Stolen Generation + [verb: suffered, were taken, testified]apologise to + the Stolen Generationscompensation for + the Stolen Generationa survivor of + the Stolen GenerationsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stolen generation” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Stolen-Generation policies
- a Stolen-Generation narrative
American English
- Stolen Generation policies
- a Stolen Generation narrative
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. May appear in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) reports in Australia regarding reconciliation action plans.
Academic
Frequent in history, sociology, indigenous studies, law, and public policy papers discussing colonial policies, human rights, and intergenerational trauma.
Everyday
Used in Australian media, political discourse, and educational contexts. Understood but used less frequently in everyday conversation outside Australia.
Technical
Used as a precise historical and legal term in documents related to land rights, reparations, and official inquiries (e.g., the Bringing Them Home report).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stolen generation”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stolen generation”
- Using lower case ('stolen generation') when referring to the Australian historical context.
- Using it as a general synonym for any generation that feels disconnected from their parents' culture.
- Omitting the definitive article 'the' (e.g., 'He is a Stolen Generation survivor' is incorrect; it should be 'a member of the Stolen Generation').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to the specific historical group in Australia, it is a proper noun and should be capitalised as 'Stolen Generation' or 'Stolen Generations'.
It is considered inappropriate and disrespectful to use this term loosely for other groups, as it refers to a specific historical trauma with its own cultural and political context. Use more general terms like 'forcibly displaced people' instead.
They are often used interchangeably. 'Stolen Generation' can refer to the collective experience or a single cohort. 'Stolen Generations' (plural) explicitly recognises that the forcible removals occurred over many decades, affecting multiple generations.
The most intensive period of forced removals was from the late 1800s to approximately the 1970s, although the policies and their effects persisted in various forms. The landmark 'Bringing Them Home' report was published in 1997.
A specific term referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia who were forcibly removed from their families by government agencies and church missions, as part of official government policies from approximately the 1860s to the 1970s.
Stolen generation is usually academic, historical, journalistic, formal in register.
Stolen generation: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstəʊlən ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstoʊlən ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'STOLEN' as the key: these were children STOLEN from their families to create a 'GENERATION' raised apart from their culture.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NATION IS A FAMILY / HISTORY IS A WOUND. The term frames state policy as a violent rupture within the national family, creating a lasting wound that requires healing.
Practice
Quiz
What does the term 'Stolen Generation' specifically refer to?