What is the primary purpose behind the policies affecting the stolen generations?

The primary purpose behind the policies affecting the stolen generations was to achieve assimilation into white culture. These policies were implemented in Australia from the late 19th century to the 1970s, with the aim of integrating Indigenous people into mainstream Australian society. This was based on the belief that Indigenous cultures and identities were inferior and that the "civilizing" of Aboriginal children would lead to their eventual acceptance and integration into white society.

Consequently, mixed-race children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in institutions or with white families, where they were expected to adopt European values, language, and lifestyles. This approach disregarded and attempted to erase Indigenous cultures and heritage in favor of assimilation, which has had long-lasting impacts on Indigenous communities and cultural identity in Australia. The legacy of these policies continues to affect the relationships between Indigenous communities and the broader Australian society today.