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“Vulnerability” and Its Unintended Consequences

Author

Listed:
  • Jeanette Skoglund

    (Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare (RKBU North), Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway)

  • Renee Thørnblad

    (Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare (RKBU North), Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway)

Abstract

“Vulnerability” is now a widely used term in different settings—from politics and academia to everyday life. In response, a growing body of research has emerged critiquing and challenging the use of the concept in the social sciences. In this paper, we explore the use of the term vulnerability in research on children in out-of-home care and discuss the possible negative consequences of this—for the people involved and for the knowledge produced. Showing some of the problems involved in classifying these children as “particularly vulnerable”, we argue that there is a need for more nuanced understandings of children growing up in out-of-home care.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeanette Skoglund & Renee Thørnblad, 2024. "“Vulnerability” and Its Unintended Consequences," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-10, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:5:p:258-:d:1392402
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gypen, Laura & Vanderfaeillie, Johan & De Maeyer, Skrallan & Belenger, Laurence & Van Holen, Frank, 2017. "Outcomes of children who grew up in foster care: Systematic-review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 74-83.
    2. Daining, Clara & DePanfilis, Diane, 2007. "Resilience of youth in transition from out-of-home care to adulthood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(9), pages 1158-1178, September.
    3. Healey, Cynthia V. & Fisher, Philip A., 2011. "Young children in foster care and the development of favorable outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(10), pages 1822-1830, October.
    4. Riessman, Catherine Kohler, 1990. "Strategic uses of narrative in the presentation of self and illness: A research note," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 30(11), pages 1195-1200, January.
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