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Different Cultures

gibbo

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#1
Since doing FH i have learnt so much about my own country and its people. The below article taught me something i never knew. Tho it is sad it has to be respected as it is their culture. With the changing of time i doubt this would happen nowadays. I wonder if they are the only race who did this :confused:

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)
Monday 14 August 1950

Aboriginal Twins Pose Problem At Darwin

CANBERRA, Aug. 13.

Aboriginal twins have been horn at the Darwin Hospital for the first time since the war— but their mother wants only one of them. Annie, a Millingimbi native, gave birth to the twins, who are named William and Bob, last week. Bob weighed 4 lb., and William 3 lb. The bigger baby is seriously ill and doctors are fighting for his life. Annie told a sister at the hospital that she would only keep one. Asked what should happen to the other, she replied. 'Give it to white man.' If both babies survive, the Native Affairs Department will have to look after the unwanted child. The survival of twins among aborigines is rare. Among more civilised natives several cases have been re ported, but bush natives never allow both babies to live. The weaker twin is usually, killed at birth. This is done for purely economic reasons. A nursing mother could not supply enough milk for two children while living on bush foods. In her nomadic state a mother would never be able to carry both children as well as camp gear, yam sticks, a dilly bag and spare spears. Most native women, however civilised, would not consider keeping both babies. Annie, although a mission native, is no exception.
 

p.risboy

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#2
Harsh as it seems, it is a very practical(for want of a better word) thing to do, given their nomadic lifestyle.

I would guess it does happen with similar societies. Even in our 'cultured' societies, how many babies are dumped at hospital doorsteps, or just dumped.

Steve.:)
 

leefer

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#3
Babies in India and China dont get a good deal if they are female...things are looking up but to be honest,but the way woman and kids are treated in some country's make me sick to the pit of my stomach.

And very angry:mad::mad:
 
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#4
without getting into the rights or wrongs, we see this kind of behaviour throughout the animal world. For instance, a Barn Owl will lay 3-5 eggs a day or so apart, but will start incubation from day one. This means the chicks will hatch at different times and be at a different stage of development and the eldest will get most food available. In years where the supply of food is in short supply, or the parent can't hunt due to bad weather, the elder chicks will eat their younger siblings to try and secure that some of the clutch survive and fledge. A similar situation to your nomadic mother
It's a hard world out there.

dave
 

gibbo

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#5
I agree it is a hard world sometimes Dave.

I have been doing some more reading and it appears that multiple births in Aboriginals was fairly low back generations ago so maybe not a lot of mums would have had to deal with doing what they had to do to survive.

It interested me and it was something i hadnt heard of before.
There is so much to learn about different cultures :)
 

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