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Vulnerability and Values

Explanations > Values > Vulnerability and Values

Description | Example | Discussion | So what?

Description

When we are choosing and prioritizing values, in particular when the values affect other people, a common criterion is the vulnerability of those people in question.

There are two primary values that are common across cultures:

1. Do no harm: Do not use your superior strength or ability to harm the vulnerable.
2. Actively help: You should positively act to help vulnerable people where they are in need of assistance.

These may be applied in two situations, which correlate with the two primary values above:

1. Relational: When interacting directly with the vulnerable person, you should not harm them.
2. Situational: When you are a bystander and the vulnerable person needs assistance, you should help them. This includes:

   (a) Defensive: When the vulnerable person is being abused by another person.

   (b) Natural: Where the person is in difficulties with something in their general environment.

As with all values, there is also a social rule that violators should be punished. With strong values such as those around vulnerable people, it also becomes an imperative that everyone should be actively involved in the punishment. To sit on the sidelines is seen to condone the action of the perpetrator.

There are four classic groups of vulnerable people who are affected by this:

• Children: Who are smaller, innocent and understand less.
• Elderly: Who are physically frail and may be cognitively fading.
• Disabled: Who have particular aspects where they have difficulties.
• Women: Who are physically weaker than men.

Other groups who may be affected include:

• Destitute: Those who have no money or home.
• Weaker: Those who are not disabled but who are shorter, weaker and otherwise less able to defend themselves physically.
• Outcasts: Those who are reviled for some aspect of their person, including sexual and religious preferences.
• Minorities: Any small group within a bigger group.

Example

A company has a strong policy on equality that goes beyond legislated requirements. This helps make the organization appear 'good' and attracts employees with strong integrity who also work hard to help with company success.

A man slaps a woman in public. Another man nearby steps in to defend the woman, standing in front of her and readying to fight. He feels this is his duty, even though he is putting himself at risk.

A person in a wheelchair asks for help from a stranger in getting through a door. The stranger hurries to help.  

Discussion

When two people interact, there is always a difference in power, such that one person is, to some degree, more vulnerable. Vulnerability values help compensate for this difference by restricting the actions of the more powerful person, particularly if the less vulnerable person falls into one of the four main categories above.

It is perhaps not surprising that there are significant laws and policies to protect the vulnerable. In organizations, this includes protection for employees who may be harassed by those in power above them.

The first vulnerability value, to 'do no harm' is relatively easy to comply with, as it is a passive act that only requires self-control. For example where a teacher holds back his anger when a child has misbehaved.

The second vulnerability value, to 'actively help' can be harder as it takes time and may lead to embarrassment or even putting oneself in harm's way to protect the vulnerable. While we may instinctively do this for our own family, it can be a difficult choice to put oneself out for a stranger.

There is a danger that vulnerable people who understand this value may take excessive advantage of it, trying to force others to help them when they could perhaps be more independent and do things for themselves. Children, for example, naturally appeal to the 'nurturing parent' in adults for help, even when the child is older. Other groups may also play to their weakness, even to the point of being explicit about this ('You can't touch me, I'm ...'). This seems selfish as witnesses to this abuse of rights may be motivated to avoid helping other vulnerable people in the future.

So what?

If you are vulnerable, ask for support rather than hoping someone will help. Values will force others to give you the assistance you need. It can also help to band together with other vulnerable people.

If you have power, beware of using this to harm vulnerable people in any way as this may result in a wider majority castigating you for you abuse.

If you are persuading, then be particularly careful with vulnerable groups and individuals. It is easy for what seems like a normal persuasive approach to appear as taking advantage of the vulnerable person and so result in you being socially punished.

If you want to publicly criticize another person, you may be able to find where they have abused vulnerable people or at least been less than helpful.

See also

Powerlessness, Transactional Analysis

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