Vulnerability encompasses the degree to which a population is predisposed to adversity compared to the normal population. Therefore, this group of people has a diminished ability to anticipate, endure or recover from the impact of a destabilizing situation within a society. As a result of this, this population shoulders a greater burden of the consequences associated with the phenomenon. Notably, this predisposition is characterized by notions of dependence, risk, and reduced durability or capability. For instance, women and indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable in the contemporary societies. This susceptibility culminates from the interplay between the resources that are accessible for the women and aborigines and the dynamism of daily life in modern societies. The resultant deplorability is manifest by the significant levels of malnutrition, ill health, homelessness " poor housing, poverty and destitution. Moreover, factors like inadequate general development, deprived social statuses, diminished social networks and support, as well as personal incapacities exist and prevail over the lifetime of these groups. Consequently, a holistic approach is necessary during the formulation and implementation of policies for intervening against vulnerability. This paper seeks to present for consideration, an exploration of the social conditions that interact to produce vulnerable groups. Then follows a discussion on the strategies that can be implemented by different actors in nation states to assist these vulnerable groups.
What social conditions interact to produce vulnerable groups?
Susceptibility is the conceptual nexus that explains the relationship between people, their environments, and the social forces and institutions that sustain them (name, year). In short, vulnerability represents a disadvantaged social position, due to the interplay of the environment and the social conditions created by the social institutions. According to (name, year), this social position shapes the life of the women and the indigenous communities.
Urbanization and the increase in urban residency is largely attributable to an increased risk for both women and indigenous communities. For instance, over 75% of the American population resides in metropolitan areas (name, year). Such urban life represents an increase in the potential of harm due to the concentration of people, property and shared infrastructure. (Name, year), argues that these congestions combine with the preexisting natural and technologically-driven hazards to cause an increase in risk of vulnerability. For instance, the call for women to avoid walking alone as it invites people to take advantage of them shows the growth in risk associated with the concentration of people. Moreover, urban areas represent a higher number of women within a given jurisdiction. Notably, this increase in the population usually overwhelms the protective administrative measures put in place (name, year). As a result, there exists a gap, which is exploited by predators to cause damage to the women.
What more the social systems in modern communities are significantly complicated. Notably, modern societies depend on an intricate system of basic social and physical facilities such as public transportation and utility services like water and electricity (name, year). Thus, these shared amenities increase the window for exploitation of women, especially due to the high likelihood of shortages.
Additionally, the uncontrolled growth of population results in untamed unemployment and idleness. Consequently, these situations are associated with increased organized crime, the growth of slum dwellings and a general lack of education due to poverty, shortage of infrastructure or demotivation caused by the shortage of basic needs such as food and shelter (name, year). Moreover, the desperation caused by unemployment causes women to not object to abusive relationships or discriminatory jobs as they need to fend for their families (name, year). Also, idleness, illiteracy and the high crime rates represent a leeway for the spread of misogynistic sentiments. For instance, a research by Brazil’s Institute for Applied Economic Research indicates that respondents believe the provocative dressing and ‘improper’ behavior among women is to blame for sexual assault. According to (name, year), such misleading and misogynistic sentiments can be attributed to the lack of emancipation regarding gender equality and women rights.
For indigenous communities, vulnerability is mainly manifest by the disruption of customary livelihood, prevalence of chronic and other lifestyle illnesses, as well as a disproportionate loss of life (name, year). Such susceptibility is attributable to the demographic and anthropogenic factors associated with these communities. For instance, modernization and the resultant development of real estate and infrastructure causes ecological disruptions. These ecological disturbances culminate in the perturbation of the sustenance of indigenous communities (name, year). Therefore, they are subjected to the forceful evictions from their ancestral lands and invasion of their settlements by foreigners who impede them from practicing their culture freely. Such deterrence includes the inability to enjoy food sovereignty and the unwarranted subjection to contemporary transformative policies of the nation states such as education and forceful resettlement (name, year).
As a result, aborigines are exposed to unfavorable climatic conditions, which in addition to an inability to food sovereignty exacerbate the expression of genes that cause fatal chronic illnesses (name, year). Moreover, the inability to produce, distribute and consume food in accordance with their customs and own systems of managing natural resources causes food insecurity. (Name, year), argues that the emphasis on eradicating their social norms portrays them as an inferior kind, who must thrive on dependence on the dominant populations. The perpetuation of such dependence mentalities cements oppressive tendencies and the vulnerability status of indigenous communities. Moreover, the disparities in customs or physical appearance propagates the isolation of indigenous communities during policy formulation, which reduces their access to lifelines during implementation. Finally, the inferiority complex caused by the emphasis on changing them has a negative psychological impact, which is attributable to the increased suicidality among aboriginals (name, year).
What strategies can be implemented by nation states to assist these vulnerable groups?
Nation states must adopt holistic approaches to the management of vulnerability, due to the interconnectedness of susceptibility to a repertoire of socioeconomic and political factors (name, year). Notably, interventions must begin with the adoption of the right political mantra regarding social prejudice against the vulnerable groups, since all community issues are political to some extent. According to (name, year), politicians are tasked with passing legislations that discourage discrimination, as well as using their influence to advocate for equality and equity. Moreover, encouraging social inclusivity such as using mass media campaigns to disparage discriminative notions and instituting measures to emancipate them economically results in the overall improvement of living conditions (name, year). Thus, governments must institute education policies that guarantee cultural competence, institute strict punitive measures against offences committed to vulnerable groups, implement equal pay for equal work measures and involve them in formulation of community development policies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vulnerable groups are characterized by the higher propensity to harm due to daily life experiences. Women and indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable due to a system of social factors, which interact with their environments to exacerbate vulnerability. Thus, urbanization and its resultant concentration of people, unemployment, rise of crime and poor neighborhoods result in the propagation of women vulnerability. On the other hand, the disruption of livelihoods due to modernization propagates the susceptibility of indigenous communities. Therefore, nation states must adopt proper political practices that encourage inclusivity, economic emancipation and discourage discrimination against vulnerable groups.
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