ABSTRACT

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book focuses on growth faltering because it is emblematic of the uniquely vulnerable place of the child within deep human history, within the political history of colonial Australia. It reflects the enduring conflicts over parenting beliefs and practices between Aboriginal and Western families and society. Since the concept of structural violence allows a clearer understanding of the cause of growth faltering and child morbidity in the microcosm of remote Aboriginal Australia. It should also apply to an analysis of causality in Western post-industrial urban society. A categorical shift in thinking is needed for the individual doctor, nurse and health and human service worker to come to terms with such overwhelming theoretical considerations regarding her or his daily work at the front line of remote Aboriginal health.