Vulnerability Deconstructed by Jen

[jesse_the_k]

In the blog “People Aren’t Broken,” Jen discusses disability issues in a very useful way, while also examining her experience, politics, sexuality. That’s why I made a DW feed and urge you to subscribe

http://peoplearentbroken-feed.dreamwidth.org

Her most recent post dissects “vulnerability” in a similar way to how we recognize two models of disability:

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Back to vulnerable. The way the word is being used lately implies the susceptibility of the group is based on a trait of that group. Vulnerability is reliant upon the group definition. It strips away all societal structure, outside factors and cultural context. Children, seniors and people with disabilities are vulnerable because they possess certain traits putting them at risk. From this perspective, people within “vulnerable” groups are almost victims, without any remedy for their vulnerability.

I beg to differ. Our vulnerability comes from the world we inhabit. The laws, policies and practices of our society make us vulnerable. If we lived in a world where seniors were given enough money to live a reasonable life, including access to medical care, etc., sufficient to meet their needs, would they still be “vulnerable”? Similarly, if all children had access to the same high-quality education, sufficient food, clothing and shelter, safe places to live and parents equipped to nurture them, would children be “vulnerable”?

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http://www.peoplearentbroken.com/?p=816