The 8 most important situations of vulnerability at school

These are the main situations of school vulnerability that young people sometimes suffer.

What (and which) are the situations of vulnerability at school? In this article we will focus on the concept of educational vulnerability to explain which situations can cause it. to explain what situations can cause it.

On the other hand, educational vulnerability refers to all those difficulties or obstacles that interfere with the student's academic path. We will see it below. In addition, we will also talk about up to 8 types of these situations and we will mention examples of each one of them.

Educational vulnerability and its consequences

Before going into the concept of educational vulnerability, let's explain what vulnerability itself consists of.

To this end, we take up a definition by Busso (2001), who defines it as "a multidimensional process that converges in the risk or probability of the individual, household or community to be hurt, injured or damaged in the face of changes or permanence of adverse external and/or internal situations" (Busso, 2001, p. 8).

On the other hand, educational vulnerability is a concept that refers to the situation of vulnerability in which some students find themselves, who manifest or experience a series of difficulties or obstacles throughout their education. difficulties or obstacles throughout their academic trajectory.These obstacles make it difficult for them to make the most of their learning in the classroom and in the school context in general.

Thus, broadly speaking, what educational vulnerability does is to weaken a student's schooling bond.

Difficulties for a good schooling

What do these difficulties or obstacles consist of?

They are different types of situations of vulnerability at school, which are experienced by students at one time or another in their educational career, and these can be: family situations, emotional, interpersonal, related to the teaching and learning process, to the context or educational climate (environment), etc.

All these situations may be accompanied by other phenomena of varying complexity, which may also affect the well-being of the student.that can also affect the well-being of the student and/or interfere in his/her educational process (which can affect different areas of the educational process: personal, relational, educational...).

What does all this result in? In most cases, school failure, in addition to an interference in the well-being and quality of life of the student. School failure can also lead to depressive symptoms, bullying, low self-esteem, family problems....

In fact, all these situations of vulnerability at school (either as a cause or as a consequence of school failure, but especially as a cause of it) will be discussed throughout the article.

Situations of vulnerability at school

We have collected up to a total of 8 possible situations of vulnerability in the school, which can lead to problems of different nature and characteristicsschool failure, relational problems, self-esteem problems, depressive and anxious symptoms, etc.

All these situations, as well as their consequences, interfere in the academic trajectory of the students in many ways.

1. Poor school performance

Poor school performance can lead to school failure, among other things.among other things.

This is one of the situations of vulnerability at school, since it can also lead to other problems and interfere in the student's adaptation to the center, in his/her good performance, in passing the different courses, in the relationship with his/her classmates, etc.

2. Having family problems

Family problems (as we will see more concretely in the following point) can greatly affect the student's wellbeing, which directly influences his/her academic sphere, but also his/her personal and relational sphere...

Family problems can be of different types, from having bad communication with the parents, to living in a hostile and unstructured environment, etc.

3. Alcoholism in one of the parents

Another possible situation of vulnerability at school is the fact that one of the parents has alcoholism.

Family circumstances have an enormous influence on the student's performance, well-being, relationships, frustrations, quality of life, etc.The family circumstances have a great influence on the student's performance, well-being, relationships, frustrations, quality of life, etc. In addition, the fact that one of the parents is an alcoholic can generate great stress in the home, as well as feelings of guilt and helplessness in the people who live with the alcoholic. All this, logically, will influence the school.

4. Presence of problems in interpersonal relationships

Problems with peers (i.e., peers of the same age) also constitute an obstacle that makes the student a vulnerable person in the educational context.

5. Presence of emotional problems

Emotional problems of the student him/herself can also become another situation of vulnerability at school, since these problems can negatively affect their well-being, making it difficult for them to relate to others. these problems can have a very negative effect on their well-being, which will make it difficult for them to relate to others, build a positive self-esteem, relate to teachers, etc.This will hinder their relationship with others, the building of a positive self-esteem, their relationship with teachers, etc.

6. Difficulties with teachers

The fact that the student has difficulties with teachers can also interfere negatively in his/her academic career. These difficulties can go from the classic thought of "the teacher has it in for me", to real battles with them. with them.

7. Behavioral problems in the classroom

Behavioral problems are another vulnerable situation at school. These can be of different types, ranging from mild to severe (also depending on the age of the student).

We must also think that Under many behavioral problems (or disorders) are hidden other deeper problems, usually of an emotional nature, which must be taken into account and properly treated.usually of an emotional nature, which must be taken into account and duly treated.

8. Special educational needs (SEN)

Finally, another situation that can lead to educational vulnerability is the fact of being a student with special educational needs.

This concept refers to the fact that a student requires certain support and specific educational attention during a period (or the totality) of his/her schooling. They arise as a result of having an intellectual disability, a sensory disability, behavioral disorders, etc.

Bibliographical references:

• Busso, G. (2001). Social vulnerability: Notions and policy implications for Latin America at the beginning of the 21st century. Paper presented at the International Seminar "The Different Expressions of Social Vulnerability in Latin America and the Caribbean". Santiago de Chile: United Nations-ECLAC.
• Díaz, C. and Pinto, M.L. (2017). Educational vulnerability: A study from the socio-critical paradigm. Praxis Educativa, 21(1).
• Dirección General de Cultura y Educación Dirección Provincial de Planeamiento. (2010). Definiciones de vulnerabilidad educativa Serie Planeamiento, Investigación y Estadística / 3. Buenos Aires.
• Manzano Soto, N. (2008). Jóvenes en contexto de vulnerabilidad y la necesidad de una escuela comprensiva. Docencia, 35(7): 50-57.