…to hate the phrase 'most vulnerable in society' and wish it would stop being used

[williaminajetfighter]

I started to notice the phrase 'the most vulnerable in society' becoming much more commonplace 5 years ago and quickly adopted by politicians and incorporated into their political rhetoric. It has become a useful catchall to represent the disadvantaged and is now regularly used in favour of 'the poor' or 'the disadvantaged' or any reference to class. It was used multiple times in George Osborne's budget speech!

The thing is just HATE the phrase. Firstly because it's totally non-specific --- who are these 'most vulnerable' we speak of? One day it's the disabled, then it's mothers, then it's the poor, then its the unemployed. Fine to change the group each time, but it's become a completely meaningless phrase to represent anyone who might need govt support or who might be politically disadvantaged - and the fact is that could be anyone at anytime. And it's a way for politicians to look like they care about 'the less fortunate in society' without actually having to name who they are!

Secondly the phrase is far too emotive (like 'needy') and also paints a picture of the 'most vulnerable' as meek and powerless. For example, a disabled person may be politically disadvantaged and need more assistance but I'm not sure if they want to be painted as 'vulnerable' and 'needy' especially if they work hard to overcome their disabilities.

Please note I'm not stating that I hate those classified as 'the most vulnerable' so don't flame me on this. This is about a stupid phrase that has become far too commonplace that we need to interrogate and ultimately stop using!

The problem is that they are all placed in a box together but are vastly different.

Not all elderly people are vulnerable.
Not all poor people are vulnerable.
Not all disabled people are vulnerable.

And even if we assume they are all vulnerable, their vulnerabilities vary hugely!

It's better (in my view) to be specific about who and what you are talking about and why.

the problem callidelta is that politicians use the phrase to pretend they are concerned about everyone that YOU THINK falls under the 'most vulnerable'. However as there isn't a 'most vulnerable' register and definitions vary hugely between people, it's impossible to ascertain what people mean when they use the phrase. Men probably wouldn't acknowledge a lot of situations in which women could be classified as vulnerable, for example. But when a politician says 'I care about the most vulnerable' they are riding on the fact that they don't have to specify WHO they are referring to, allowing you to use your own definition. It's slippery and rubbish.

As a phrase I just think it's horrible and belting as well.

thank you daffodil This post should probably be in Pedants Corner! :)

I think your first sentence summed that up well.

So for example if you have elderly parents and a politician comes on TV and says 'we must protect the most vulnerable in society!' and you think 'mum and dad, yes!' but then the next week cuts to the elderly are announced.

It's a clever wee phrase actually.

I agree it's self-defining. If you don't feel vulnerable, it isn't you, regardless of the disability or poverty you may or may not experience.

Not something I can get cross about. Far more titsed off with hearing about Hardworking Families.

I'm in the fortunate position william of being old. One of the things this has done for me is I come from a generation that could cook a meal from next to nothing, so now that I'm in receipt of bugger all, I manage that way. Not so much on the heating, but that's life, or so it seems. So yes, I'm vulnerable and despite my Phd, my career as a lecturer, owning my own house, I am vulnerable. So yes, politicians point your fingers and then get off your arses and do something to ensure I, and others like me are better served.

The problem with most vulnerable is that it is trying to divide people again. For example regarding the cuts to disability benefits the phrase used was that they were going to protect the most vulnerable, the government is recognising that not all disabled people are as vulnerable as others so they are trying to limit support to the most vulnerable and let those who are not quite as vulnerable fend for themselves. It is no better a phrase than the deserving poor.

Urgh Hardworking families thats something to get worked up about.

Good point baroness it is a divisive phrase as well

Politicians use 'most vulnerable' to mean 'those most reliant on the state'. The irony is that these groups are the most vulnerable to the whims of politicians.

I think it is a bit of a catch all lazy phrase. However, disabled or elderly people etc are more vulnerable than the young and fit because they have fewer options even if they are not very disabled.

well my adult child is one of the most vulnerable.....when you are an adult and you can't walk, talk or do any thing to meet your care needs I think you can't be anything else.
i alway assume it means people who can't do any thing to change their situation, so I never think of mothers/unemployed as they can change stuff

i do hate disadvantaged though

""Not all elderly people are vulnerable.
Not all poor people are vulnerable.
Not all disabled people are vulnerable.""

No many in those groups aren't, but the ones that are, are the most Vunerable in our Society and they will suffer if the rest of the cuts go ahead.

It saves singling out a specific group, as said.

It possibly become 'more common place' around five years age, because many people (myself included) were given the Blueprint for Universal Credit and other changes, particularly HB.

It was reviewed by SWs (that's why I got a copy) and Charities, who then banded together to try to stop what was about to happen.

These groups, dealt with different people, ours were Fostered Children/those under SS, others were obviously Help the Aged, Scope, Mencap, Mind, Shelter and Carers charities etc.

Some changes were delayed thanks to the Charities acting together and some slight changes were made.

Some of the opposing opinions on the cuts, by financial institutions (who generally aren't involved directly with the public), are based on the facts presented by the Charities.

So it was useful to have a strong way of encompassing all those that for whom the cuts will be catastrophic, to hopefully gain public support.

The most vulnerable in society means just that
It's my daughter, so disabled she would be abused and come to harm or let's face it die, without constant professional support off a trained adult.

I'm sorry if that makes people feel uncomfortable she's been called for a pip assessment next week. Maybe they'll feel uncomfortable enough to cut her benefit

I know what you mean. I am simultaneously one if the most vulnerable in society, and one of the most capable intellectually and physically, and a member of one of the most privileged groups.

Its an odd existence, but possible because of the crazy way we manage society ..we don't solve problems, we just try to sound as if we are solving problems.

Vulnerable does not have to be a demeaning word. We are all vulnerable at some point in our lives. It's just a way of defining a person's need at that time. If their circumstances change and they are no longer vulnerable, the aid offered is no longer necessarily needed.

I'd rather be labelled vulnerable if I was in that position and given assistance until I was out of it than not get the help I needed because someone was too afraid of offending me.

To me the word 'vulnerable' means open to abuse and to danger from others hurting them, either physically or emotionally. Therefore it fits most people who are poor and who have a disability, because no matter how strong, educated or aware you are, if you have no money or you don't have the same access to the world as other people, then you are open to abuse from other people. Therefore, you are vulnerable. My son has ASD and he is vulnerable because he can't negotiate social situations very well, he believes what people tell him and he can't speak up for himself easily. I think it is a good word.

Some people are the most vulnerable. Ds is one of them. If you can't communicate and look after yourself, how can you be anything else? A large proportion of the most vulnerable are powerless which is partly why they are so vulnerable. I wouldn't class mothers or the unemployed as being especially vulnerable unless they have other things going on. I'm one and have been the other but I don't think I have been vulnerable whilst an adult.