quote [ Australia's institutionalized theft of babies began in the 1950s, when it was considered the ideal solution to two pressing social issues: married couples unable to conceive children of their own, and the unpalatable number of young, single women giving birth to so-called illegitimate children.

As is documented in court judgements and other official documents from the time, women such as these were considered "sexual deviants" who were "unpopular with the neighbours" and deemed "unfit" to parent. So they were denied any choice in the matter. Instead, the adoption of their babies became protocol within hospitals. ]