Historical Foundations of Social Welfare in America Chapter 2

Colonial Period 1690-1800

Views of Colonial Period America land of abundant resources Native people and African slaves were regarded as nonpersons without rights Room for growth and personal gain Poverty seen as a personal misfortune, not a public responsibility Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Elizabethan Poor Laws 1601 - The first public social welfare legislation, established in England Established categories of need Worthy Poor - Widows, orphans, elderly, people with physical disability Unworthy Poor - Able bodied singles and unmarried women Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Elizabethan Poor Laws The laws created structures that still exist Economic support must come from family first, then local community Person in need has to be a legal resident of the community Belief that there is work for everyone, if you want to work Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Social Welfare in Colonial America - 1600-1800 The South “Poor Laws” did not apply to slaves Responsibility was with owners The North Native people also had no rights Poverty was seen as personal misfortune Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Pre-Civil War Period 1800-1860 Economic shift in country from agrarian to industrial Immigrants coming to U.S. settled in the urban area Social welfare centered around a religious, moralistic perspective of correcting behavior Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Pre-Civil War Period 1800-1860 Residential institutions became solutions for social problems such as mental illness, orphans, and disabled Poverty was still viewed as individual’s fault Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Civil War and Post War Period 1861- 1874 Federal government provided benefits for the first time - Freedman’s Bureau Racial discrimination for both African American and Native Americans Started consideration that poverty went beyond the individual Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

The Progressive Era 1875-1925 Industrial Expansion Growth in urban area with increase in poverty Beginning of national involvement in social welfare Roots of social work started in this era Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

The Progressive Era 1875-1925 Charity Organization Societies Believed urban poverty was rooted in character deficiencies of the poor Poverty could be abolished by helping people recognize their flaws Advocated for coordination services Created casework concept Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Charity Organization Societies Goals and Strategies: To ensure that children did not grow up paupers Aid in finding work for all who are able to work Train in skill all who were deficient Inspire new hope and self respect Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

The Progressive Era 1875-1925 Settlement Movement Social Workers should live (settle) amongst the poor Empowerment through community involvement Encouraged organizations to gain political and social power Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Fostered social workers involvement in: The Progressive Era 1875-1925 Fostered social workers involvement in: Social welfare policy development Group Work Community Involvement Hull House classic example Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

The Progressive Era: Key Events Establishment of the National Women’s Suffrage Association -1890 The Supreme Court legitimized separate facilities for African Americans in Plessy V. Ferguson 19th Amendment to the Constitution granted women right in 1920. Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Federal involvement in social welfare of U.S. THE GREAT DEPRESSION Federal involvement in social welfare of U.S.

The Great Depression 1925-1940 Existing social welfare systems were unable to meet the need Public opinion changed as to cause of poverty The New Deal was federal government’s response to social conditions Started with FERA, CCC, and WPA Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

The Social Security Act of 1935 Compromise piece of legislation Created Social Insurance and Public Assistance Started state run programs for aged, dependent children, unemployed, vocational rehabilitation, infant and maternal health Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Social Insurance Intended for workers and their dependents at retirement, disability, or death Social – To provide for anyone as long as they have paid into the system Insurance – Guaranteed for rest of your life Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Public Assistance Intended as government assistance for those who fall below the poverty line Public – Funded through general revenue collected by government Assistance – Meant to be temporary and for people in distress Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Post War Economy - 1940-1960 Period of economic recovery Federal government passed the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (AKA – GI Bill) Added disability coverage to the Social Security Act Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Social Reform – The 60’s War on Poverty – 1964 Equal Opportunity Act Head Start VISTA Job Corp Food Stamp Program Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Social Reform – 1960 Civil Rights Act – 1964 Older Americans Act – 1965 Amended Social Security Act: Added Medicare And Medicaid Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Renewed conservatism 1970-1980 Comprehensive Employment and Training Act – CETA – 1973 Gain for women – NOW was formed Roe vs. Wade passed Gay rights movement mobilized Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Emergency Care Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Move towards Liberalism & Neo-liberalism 1990-2000 American Disability Act – 1990 Civil Rights Restoration Act – 1993 Family Medical Leave Act – 1993 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act – 1996 Replaced AFDC with TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Economic Shifts of the 1990s Proposed a universal health insurance program for all Americans Passed Violence Against Women Act that include hand gun control Proposed measures to prevent discrimination against gays/lesbians. Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

The New Century Medicare prescription drug benefits War: fiscal and social impacts? Next steps?