Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

Oranges and Sunshine

(2 Posts)
nanapug Sat 19-Jan-13 15:29:19

Am watching the film Oranges and Sunshine, about the migration schemes to Australia, for children in care in the late forties/early fifties. Fascinating, and particularly pertinent to me, as I was illegitimate, however my Mother chose to keep me. It occurred to me that that might have been my "lot" had she been persuaded otherwise which was a distinct possibility in 1949. There but for the grace of God and all that......

nanaej Sat 19-Jan-13 16:07:52

It is a terribly sad episode in the recent history of both UK and Australia. It took as much courage for young women to decide to bring up their child if they were not married as it did to give them up.

My aunt had a child in the 1940's who was raised by my grandmother . My aunt worked away from her home town but my mum lived at home still and was a teenager at the time. She was often verbally abused because it was thought the child was hers. I am glad that there is less of a judgemental approach now regarding children born to mothers without partners... though I am sure many single mothers might prefer to be in a strong relationship.