The newly published book explores children's vulnerability in various relational environments
The book “Child Vulnerability and Vulnerable Subjectivity“, published by Springer, offers an interdisciplinary and comparative analysis of how children's vulnerability develops and persists within the family, school, legal, and welfare systems. The book has been edited by the University of Tartu Associate Professor of Social Policy Dagmar Kutsar, Associate Professor of Empirical Sociology Mai Beilmann and Research Fellow of Research of Social Well-being Oliver Nahkur.
The book examines both universal and subjective factors that affect children's vulnerability. Global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and military conflicts destabilize the well-being of all children, yet each child experiences vulnerability in a unique way. The book focuses on individual risks that emerge through relationships with family, school, support systems, and also in virtual environments.
“Our mission is to advocate for the improvement of children's well-being based on research, especially in a time when universal vulnerability is deepening across all populations,”
In relational environments, the worlds of children and adults converge—marked by trauma and success, expectations and understandings. The researchers note that despite multiple ongoing crises, children are still expected to achieve high academic success and quickly adapt to a constantly changing world. However, the societal position of children, characterized by dependence, often hinders their autonomous development and the growth of resilience.
Research on children's well-being indicates that child vulnerability can only be identified and alleviated when their right to participate in decisions affecting their lives is acknowledged. Nonetheless, adults often tend to speak on behalf of children and make decisions for them. The inability or reluctance to listen to a child’s voice is frequently linked to the adult’s own vulnerability—some parents struggle with the breakdown of family relationships, while some teachers face challenges in managing classroom behaviour.
This book serves as a valuable resource for childhood and well-being researchers, practitioners working with children, policymakers, and all adults concerned with children's well-being and rights. It introduces a method for in-depth analysis of a child’s life story, helping to understand past traumas and prevent their recurrence. Also discussed are brief questionnaires introduced in Estonian schools on youth well-being, which allow for the quick identification of children experiencing mental health challenges and offer them timely support. The book emphasizes child-centred policymaking, which should be based on data gathered directly from the children themselves.
The book was published as part of a research project (PRG700) funded by the Estonian Research Council. Of the 15 chapters, 12 were authored by members of the University of Tartu’s Institute of Social Studies research group on the well-being of children and family: Associate Professor in Social Policy Dagmar Kutsar, Associate Professor of Empirical Sociology Mai Beilmann, Research Fellow of Research of Social Well-being Oliver Nahkur, Associate Professor in Social Work Research Judit Strömpl, Lecturer in Social Welfare Kadri Soo, Kristi Paron, who holds a PhD in sociology and School of Law Associate Professor of European and Comparative Law Katre Luhamaa. One chapter was co-authored by Professor in Sociology Veronika Kalmus and Research Fellow in Sociology of Media Signe Opermann in collaboration with international colleagues from the EU Kids Online network. Other contributors include Research Fellow of Criminology Anna Markina and former analyst Beata Žarkovski from the School of Law, as well as Triin Noorkõiv and Laura Palling from the educational innovation initiative Clanbeat, and the editors’ collaborator Graciela Tonon from the University of Palermo in Argentina.
The book “Child Vulnerability and Vulnerable Subjectivity“ was first presented at the conference "A Knowledge-based Society?" organized by the Institute of Social Studies. The presentation is available for viewing. The book will be introduced again at a cross-sectoral seminar for practitioners and policymakers in Tallinn on November 20.
