Why children vulnerable

Measuring vulnerability is a still more difficult task. It can be mapped, monitored or quantified by means of surveys. In order to utilize general data source, we need to employ easily measurable criteria that indicate a vulnerable state. Following is a list of attributes that are more easily measurable but one might anticipate considerable problems in using these variables, and it may be difficult to get full and accurate measures on these variables in certain situations: 6 , Some of the variables that are not quantifiable, and hence difficult to map include emotional problems; abuse, including excessive discipline; and substance abuse by caregivers or the child.

These are often masked or at times deliberately concealed, and so not easily accessible to measurement, but they are equally important as the above stated quantifiable indicators. Thus there is need to devise certain scales or system of calibration for such variables. A considerable amount of work has been done in African subcontinent to define and assess vulnerability. An Expert group, formed in by the Planning Commission, for identification of urban below poverty line BPL recommended that poverty be identified by three broad categories of vulnerability viz.

The concept of vulnerability generally refers to the groups of people who are more exposed to risks than their peers. Vulnerability is a relative state with its degree and type varying overtime and between countries, and is highly contextual. Most work related to vulnerability has been done in African context. Children and young people separated from their parents are clearly vulnerable groups. Besides that, extreme poverty, chronic illness of self or parents, and lack of social support and education also make young people vulnerable to abuse, neglect, deprivation and violence.

Because of high prevalence of extreme poverty and chronic illnesses, it is estimated that a large proportion of the adolescent and young people of India are likely to be vulnerable. Efforts must be directed to identify and quantify the most vulnerable sections of the society to effectively devise targeted remedial interventions. Conflict of Interest: None declared.

National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Indian J Community Med. Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Address for correspondence: Dr. E-mail: moc. Received Apr 6; Accepted Apr This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.

This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Keywords: Adolescents, children, vulnerability, young people. Thus apart of orphanhood being a major determinant of vulnerability, the definition is centered around the three fundamental aspects of dependence: Material aspects — money, food, clothing, shelter, health care and education; Emotional aspects — care, love, support, space to grieve and containment of emotions; Social aspects — absence of a supportive peer group, of role models to follow, or of guidance in difficult situations, and risks in the immediate environment.

Table 1 Risk factors and indicators of vulnerability in young people. Open in a separate window. Figure 1. Figure 2. Estimated Burden and Profile of Vulnerable Young People As vulnerability is not yet a clearly defined terminology, estimation of the magnitude of such a problem in totality is not feasible. Access to social care, health care and schooling. Efforts in India to measure vulnerability A considerable amount of work has been done in African subcontinent to define and assess vulnerability.

Conclusions The concept of vulnerability generally refers to the groups of people who are more exposed to risks than their peers. Protection of a child without family article 20 : The State is obliged to provide special protection for a child deprived of the family environment and to ensure that appropriate alternative family care or institutional placement is available in such cases. Efforts to meet this obligation shall pay due regard to the child's cultural background.

Refugee children article 22 : Special protection shall be granted to a refugee child or to a child seeking refugee status. It is the State's obligation to co-operate with competent organisations which provide such protection and assistance.

Children with disabilities article 23 : A disabled child has the right to special care, education and training to help him or her enjoy a full and decent life with dignity, and achieve the greatest degree of self-reliance and social integration possible. Periodic review of placement article 25 : A child who is placed by the State for reasons of care, protection or treatment is entitled to have that placement evaluated regularly. Children of minorities or indigenous populations article 30 : Children of minority communities and indigenous populations have the right to enjoy their own culture and to practise their own religion and language.

These factors include child abuse Box 1 , exposure to domestic violence Box 1 , D parental drug dependence and parental alcohol misuse. Domestic violence — the cross-government definition is as follows: 18 any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.

E Data from the Audit Commission demonstrate that young carers are twice as likely to be not in education, employment or training NEET for six months or more in comparison to the wider population. CYP: Vulnerable children: Causes and risk factors. Child Protection Plan — a plan drawn up by the local authority if a multi-agency Child Protection Conference deems a child to be at continuing risk of significant harm or impairment of their health and development, which sets out how the child can be kept safe.