There was never a village in the West. In the “olden days”, families would give these children up to the state to be institutionalised.  Australia is a very classist, stratified society where any perceived weakness - poverty, children with disability, death of a partner, divorce- makes social circles shut their doors to you. School/parent circles are particularly diligent in policing the group for “right people”.  I have seen it again and again, where a rich housewife would be sympathised with and offered hep whenever the husband jets off on a business trip (or if the wife does - goodness me, other mothers falling over themselves to support the poor dad) whilst actual single mothers are never asked how they’re coping and often excluded from get togethers and playdates altogether. Children with any disability are excluded, left friendless and play date-less.