{"id":1167,"date":"2021-05-11T09:55:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-11T08:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socialhousingmatters.co.uk\/?p=1167"},"modified":"2021-05-18T11:22:01","modified_gmt":"2021-05-18T10:22:01","slug":"language-matters-use-of-vulnerability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socialhousingmatters.co.uk\/index.php\/2021\/05\/11\/language-matters-use-of-vulnerability\/","title":{"rendered":"Language Matters \u2013 The use of ‘vulnerable’ and other depowering phrases in housing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Image Source: Unsplash.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Just like social housing matters, language matters. What we say, why we say it, to whom and in what way can make all the difference not only in building great relationships and trust (or the opposite, of broken relationships and mistrust), but it can also create and uphold power imbalances and contribute to ever-entrenching stigma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you didn’t know already, language holds power, and those with the power to wield the language, sending it from one direction to another, should be more aware of this in their everyday practices and dealings with other people. In this article specifically I’ll focus on the words ‘vulnerable’ and the phrases ‘giving a voice’ and ’empowering’, phrases that are overused in the housing sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vulnerability as an umbrella term<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the things the housing sector (and it is not alone in this) likes to do is group people. There\u2019s no inherent malice in that; there is this idea that if we can group people, there is more order, and where there is more order, work can be done more efficiently, and in this case, people can be \u2018protected\u2019 better from \u2018harm\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, \u2018vulnerable\u2019 is a very vague word. It doesn\u2019t say anything specific about anyone. In fact, the only thing that it is specific about is that it implies a flaw in that person\u2019s or group\u2019s \u2018being\u2019, it implies that there is something wrong with them<\/em>, that \u2018vulnerable\u2019 is intrinsic. \u201cIt is decidedly extrinsic.\u201d, and if anything, they are made<\/strong> vulnerable to \u201cpatterns of institutionalized bias\u201d  (Holloway, 2011).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 As Amy S. Katz, talking about the use of the word \u2018vulnerable\u2019 in health care, puts it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No group of people is inherently vulnerable. If a group of people is experiencing vulnerability in a particular situation, setting, system or society, that vulnerability is being produced by other people<\/strong>. It is entirely possible to trace how that vulnerability is produced, and who is responsible. When we leave it at \u201cvulnerable groups\u201d \u2013 the implication is that the vulnerability is built in, it\u2019s a deficit, it\u2019s a condition internal to the group. So, our role as health care providers or researchers is then to save people from their own vulnerability. (Katz, in Stranges, 2019)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

While Katz is talking about health care providers and researchers in that field, I could easily switch around \u2018health care providers\u2019 with \u2018social landlords\u2019 and those who cater to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The housing sector, and again, it is not alone in this, never talks about the groups that (according to its own policies, procedures and data) are not <\/em>vulnerable and can<\/em> access services, nor why it is that they can. What is it that defines this group that makes them not vulnerable<\/em>? This too raises questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, of course, is this a correct assumption, are the people they expect to be able to access their services able to and treated fairly? Does the sector decide and have the power over who is vulnerable (and deemed worthy of rescuing) and who isn\u2019t? A second question that comes to mind is why they don\u2019t talk about and of the WHY these people are able to access services as opposed to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it because they are part of the group that, whether consciously or unconsciously contributes to maintaining any divisions that might or might not exist?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pointing to people and groups of people as vulnerable differentiates them and puts them at a straight disadvantaged as it invokes and legitimises the saviour narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any research and data in systems that housing providers use are based on survey data, administrative data, systematic reviews of evaluations and contact moments that are documented about, not by the people or groups of people identified as vulnerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if people are at risk of being harmed by others, what has become known as being classed as \u2018vulnerable\u2019, people might not consider themselves as such, or deny this exactly because accepting being classed as \u2018vulnerable\u2019 comes with the implication of it being a flaw, there something being wrong with THEM, rather than something being wrong with \u2018the system\u2019. Often, because the onus is placed on \u2018the vulnerable person\u2019, instead of seeing the system (and this isn\u2019t just society or at governmental level, but also within a housing provider\u2019s policies and procedures) as flawed, the system can be used as the complete opposite and instead being articulated as the \u2018saviour\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As shared in the toolkit of \u2018See the Person\u2019, a tenant campaign put it, using words like \u2018vulnerable\u2019 feed \u201cthe idea that social housing providers and their staff in some way rescue tenants and promotes this approach in their communications including using terms like \u2018turning people\u2019s lives around\u2019.\u201d (See the Person, 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who holds the power?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Language like this and the \u2018saviour complex\u2019 in which it is used, also invites and strengthens further types of language and use of phrases that add even more to the already damaging stigma that surrounds social housing tenants. Specifically,  the language framework that enables speaking about people and groups of people as simply \u2018vulnerable\u2019 adds to the stigma of  social housing tenants not being independent, a burden on the State, needing to be cared for, guided and told what to do (and not to do).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two phrases in particular that I want to put some specific focus on: \u2018Empowering\u2019 and \u2018Giving a Voice\u2019, phrases that are used by landlords, suppliers, governing bodies and professional sector bodies alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with empowering<\/strong>. In its crudest sense, it means \u2018to give (someone) the authority or power to do something\u2019, and while it is often used, like the use of vulnerable, without any intended malice, this, I believe, comes from its focus on the final bit of that meaning, \u2018power to do something\u2019, which is good. However, if we also take into account the first bit, it implies that this power is something that can and should be given out, granted, and that can be taken away. In this case, it is the landlord that gives \u2018vulnerable people\u2019 authorisation or power to be able to do something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This could, and I feel should, be seen as problematic, as it implies that people are powerless until they have been granted, given the power to act instead of in some ways (again, that doesn\u2019t need to be a conscious thing\u2026) being kept away from using the power they have already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That brings me to the second phrase, \u2018Giving a Voice\u2019. Like with the use of empowerment and giving people power (or allowing them to utilise the power they have already), the idea of people, and in this case, tenants being voiceless until the landlord gives them a voice is one that we need to steer away from as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I shouldn\u2019t have to make the same argument as above, but just to ensure it lands: tenants don\u2019t need you or anyone else to \u2018give<\/em> them a voice\u2019; they already have one, just like you. Like with \u2018vulnerable\u2019 and \u2018empowerment\u2019, the flaw is placed with and deemed inherent to the, in this case, tenant; they do not have a voice, or so you say<\/strong>. Just look at that again, \u2018or so you say<\/strong>\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Housing management systems, voicemails and emails are filled with voices of tenants. Requesting services, requesting changes to services, complaining about service and communication failures, there\u2019s even some compliments in there from time to time I\u2019ve heard. The only thing that needs to be improved on is the listening part, to get these voices that are already everywhere heard and listened to.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples from registered providers in UK Housing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not in the business of naming and shaming and do not want to single out any housing providers, institutions or suppliers. This is not because I think I\u2019d be saying anything unkind or something that is untrue, as all the available examples come from publicly accessible documents and websites. But it is of no use to single businesses and organisations out because it happens all across the UK and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only thing you need to do to get an idea of the extent of this use of language is to enter \u2018vulnerable\u2019, \u2018empowering\u2019 and\/or \u2018giving a voice\u2019 into google alongside \u2018housing\u2019 or \u2018social housing\u2019, and you\u2019ll be hit with a significant sample size. There\u2019s also a good chance that you recognise the phrases from your own organisation, your own slide decks, strategies and product descriptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, I\u2019m not dwelling on this section for too long. Let\u2019s get to the things where we, you, can make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, that top 3 you were promised!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The use of words and phrases like \u2018vulnerable\u2019, \u2018empowerment\u2019, and \u2018giving a voice\u2019 has been engrained in the language of society for many, many years, not just, but also in housing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing the narrative and recognising that language has a significant kind of power that can be used for both good and bad is everyone\u2019s responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, to end this already too lengthy article, I could talk about this for DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, really, I will provide you with more than a list of things you shouldn\u2019t do. So, please find below 3 changes that I suggest can be made in the language used in your systems and marketing collateral that can start making a big difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.<\/strong> Ditch the world \u2018Vulnerable\u2019 altogether in all your systems, tools and strategies.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the word that comes closest to a suitable replacement is \u2018marginalised\u2019, as it at least implies that people are placed in a position of disadvantage by force of something outside of themselves instead of putting or framing the flaws and blame on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I have explained above, people don\u2019t like to be talked about or grouped together based on anything that places them in a subservient, faulty or damaged position from the get-go, especially if this is done without their consent and without their knowledge, based on raw data and\/or demographics. How you talk about tenants internally guides how your staff will see them, talk about them and talk to them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Instead of using \u2018Empowering\u2019 in your marketing materials, corporate plans and mission statements\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2026focus on offering flexible methods and channels of communication, repairs reporting, and if anything the guarantee that people do not need to be talking to landlords on a semi-daily basis to get a single query answered or resolved. If anything, the one that needs empowering is the sector itself to recognise the tools they have at hand to be able to get at least the basics right in providing good quality home: listening and communicating, which brings me to point 3:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Instead of using \u2018Giving a Voice\u2019 in your scrutiny activities and tenant panels\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2026focus on what you as a landlord can do to listen<\/em><\/strong> better<\/em>, put the onus on yourself to improve services based on what you are being told, either in conversation, email, or even from systems data (someone calling 4 times about the same issue needn\u2019t tell you explicitly you need to do better\u2026!).  Indeed, tenants, applicants and everyone who deals with landlords share feedback, opinions, ideas and sentiments all the time, every day, in every interaction. The only thing you need to do is be willing to listen and learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
References
<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Holloway, Karla F.C., \u201cVulnerable\u201d Populations: Medicine, Race, and Presumptions of Identity, AMA Journal of Ethics. 2011. Link: https:\/\/journalofethics.ama-assn.org\/article\/vulnerable-populations-medicine-race-and-presumptions-identity\/2011-07<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the Person. It\u2019s Not Okay \u2013 A guide to tackling stigma in social housing. https:\/\/seetheperson.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Guide-to-tackling-stigma.pdf<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stranges, J. Words matter: the use of vulnerable in health care and public health. St Michael\u2019s Hospital Newsroom. Toronto, 2019. Link: https:\/\/www.stmichaelshospital.com\/media\/detail.php?source=hospital_news\/2019\/0830<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walker, Alexis K., and Fox, Elizabeth L., Why Marginalization, Not Vulnerability, Can Best Identify People in Need of Special Medical and Nutrition Care. AMA Journal of Ethics, 2018. Link: https:\/\/journalofethics.ama-assn.org\/article\/why-marginalization-not-vulnerability-can-best-identify-people-need-special-medical-and-nutrition\/2018-10<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Society, including the housing sector, has a tendency to use words like ‘vulnerable’ as an umbrella term, and to use phrases like ‘giving a voice’ when talking about pepole who for some reason or another have been placed in a position of less power, by others, potentially them. <\/p>\n

This article explores what the use of these phrases implies and which power imbalances it creates and upholds. 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