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Introducing Relational Vulnerability

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Relational Vulnerability

Part of the book series: Palgrave Socio-Legal Studies ((PSLS))

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Abstract

This chapter introduces the theoretical framework of relational vulnerability that is used throughout this book to examine the legal position of those who perform unpaid care and domestic work (i.e., ‘dependency-work’) in the private family context, especially when the family unit breaks down. It draws on existing vulnerability literature, most notably Fineman’s theory of universal vulnerability, but also departs from the universal model by arguing that dependency-workers experience an additional form of vulnerability, stemming from their marginalised and devalued role in a society and state based on values of liberal individualism and autonomy. Drawing on the literature of relationality and embodiment, the chapter argues that dependency-workers are situated within an unequal and unsupportive relational network that exposes them to avoidable harms.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    In this book, I use neoliberalism as a loose term to describe the prevalence of state policies that promote personal responsibility, market freedom, and individual economic self-sufficiency (see Harvey 2007). Neoliberal policies are based on the classic liberal theories of personhood that I discuss throughout the book.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Law, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK

    Ellen Gordon-Bouvier

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  1. Ellen Gordon-Bouvier
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Correspondence to Ellen Gordon-Bouvier .

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Gordon-Bouvier, E. (2020). Introducing Relational Vulnerability. In: Relational Vulnerability. Palgrave Socio-Legal Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61358-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61358-7_1

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-61357-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-61358-7

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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