Characterization of family vulnerability in the context of social exclusion

Abstract

Introduction: This article is the result of research by a group studying families within the interdisciplinary context of bioethics. Family and vulnerability are two distinct but interrelated terms, both differing in common sense observation and theoretical approaches. Objective: The study aims to analyze and characterize, from an interdisciplinary perspective, family vulnerability in contexts of social exclusion. It begins with the question: How are family relationships understood in contexts of multiple vulnerabilities? Methods: This is a phenomenological, cross-sectional, descriptive, qualitative study with asymmetrical, random sampling, involving 12 participants over 18 years of age in different family stages: unmarried young people, newlyweds, families with young children, families with adolescent children, families with children who have left home, and elderly individuals. The semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the Iramuteq software. Results: The results were grouped into four categories: main experience, valuing, bad things, and perception of reality, which are interconnected, meaning one does not override the other. This clarifies a particular way of conceiving this reality, which can be explained as follows: family is the social space where the concrete experience of unconditional bonds occurs; the limit of belonging to it is tested by the moral stance of ‘valuing’ it or not; an idealized space that contrasts with a place where one learns ‘bad things,’ but which, realistically, can fail and reproduce the very vulnerabilities it tries to remedy. Conclusions: The analysis encompasses family experiences, coexistence, life stories, and relationships with family, friends, and communities. There are immeasurable factors such as adaptation to daily routines, work, finances, lack of dialogue, and health risks.