Thanks Olive. The catholic church had enormous power in those years, especially in rural communities. Women were disempowered and financially dependent on husbands. It was very difficult to survive independently, and traditional female roles were the norm (being the home maker, having kids etc).

In the mother and baby institutions, the church was dominant and women had to repent. They attended mass daily around 6am in morning before their day's work of hard labour. The fear of God was put into them constantly. The government and church colluded and supported each other. There was no legislation to safeguard the women and children. If a woman escaped from the home, the police bought her back. The abusive system was supported. Women didn't receive medicaction during childbirth, and many babies were very ill after being born there. I was admitted to hospital for four weeks with gastroenterites, vomitting and weight loss.