I guess the reason I asked was I've always considered 17" wheels to still be within the 'safe' range for sidewall height and possible wheel damage from the occasional pothole. Not to say you can't damage any wheel if the circumstances are bad enough.
I am not a big fan of low profile tires. I went with 16" rims for the very concerns being described here. You can always make it up with your tire choice, to some extent. I ran some W-rated ultra-high performance all seasons on my 16's that stuck like glue and performed excellent in many areas. They were, however, pretty stout in the sidewall. They transmitted more road noise and didn't handle bumps all that well. Now I'm running some Michelins that are a step back at high-performance A/S but are much more forgiving and comfortable riding... maybe a bit too much. They do not perform nearly as well as the old ultra-high A/S tires but are much more 'civil' for everyday driving.
Point being, you don't need to necessarily go to a 18-20 in. rim to get better handling performance. Despite the higher profile, you have options when it comes to sidewall stiffness and performance rating. With the shorter sidewall, despite your tire choice, your stuck with limited road hazard protection. In addition, to try and find a more comfortable riding (ie softer) low profile tire, you only add to the problem. IMO, you have more options with a smaller wheel and your tire choice can make a big difference.