Virtual icon Politics of Vulnerability? Public Debate on Obstetric Violence and the Sociality of Emotions

Abstract

Chair: Alon Helled, University of Torino Speaker: Anna Durnová, University of Vienna Discussant: Michael Orsini, University of Ottawa This paper discusses vulnerability as a relational societal phenomenon that is both personal and deeply entwined with sociopolitical contexts. Increasingly recognized as crucial in shaping perceptions of social justice and informing public policy, vulnerability is central to contemporary discussions on personal experience and institutional responsibility. Drawing on Zerilli’s concept of “knowing by feeling”, the paper discusses how public framing shapes personal experiences of vulnerability. Empirical data includes fourteen biographical interviews with French women who experienced negative childbirth outcomes, contextualized through a purposeful sample of documents from the public debate on obstetric violence in France from 2014 to 2023. The analysis offers critical insights that redefine vulnerability as both fragility and a manifestation of agency. It situates these findings within broader social-legal debates on reproductive rights, and the public health imperative of dignified, respectful care. By demonstrating how vulnerability links knowledge, personal experience, and the institutional recognition of harm, the article highlights the importance of relational understanding of emotions. It advances political sociology discussions by offering a nuanced conceptualization of the intersection of knowledge, institutions, and emotions.