From vulnerability to risk

Consolidating state interventions towards Māori children and young people in New Zealand

Dados Bibliográficos

ID11432151
AutoresErin Stanley (0000-0002-8944-8092, Victoria University of Wellington, autor correspondente), Elizabeth Stanley (Institute of Criminology, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand), Sarah Monod de Froideville (0000-0001-8807-321X, Institute of Criminology, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand)
Ano2020
Volume40
Fascículo4
Páginas526-545
Data de publicação2020-11-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoCritical Social Policy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0261-0183 • E-ISSN: 1461-703X
EditoraSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0261018319895203
OpenAlexW3001449962
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas7
Referências citadas29

Vulnerability has been a guiding narrative to state interventions towards children and their families in New Zealand. This article shows how this progressive notion has been systematically managed to fit pre-established political and policy priorities. These processes have emphasised: (i) categorisations of risk to those who demonstrate vulnerabilities; (ii) pre-emptive, multi-agency involvement in the lives of those deemed potentially ‘vulnerable’; and (iii) a responsibilising expectation that children and families will avoid vulnerable situations and comply with interventions. This individualising logic of vulnerability has solidified policy interventions towards Māori, and re-emphasised colonial practices of viewing Māori children and young people as deficit-laden risks to be managed. With a late 2017 change in government, the political dalliance with vulnerability appears to be in decline. A new progressive policy discourse – of child ‘well-being’ and ‘best interests’ – is being engaged. Yet, the emphasis on risk, and its corresponding elements of pre-emption and responsibility, persist. These discursive and institutional arrangements will ensure that Māori remain perilously entrenched in welfare and justice systems

Agency (philosophy · Economic Justice · Government (linguistics · Narrative · Political science · Politics · Psychological intervention · Public relations · Social science · Sociology · State (computer science · Vulnerability (computing · Child Abuse and Trauma · Children's Rights and Participation · Homelessness and Social Issues · Law · Medicine · Nursing · Public Administration