The Social Welfare System Social Welfare addresses the well-being of people in society Social Welfare Services are created through public laws and policies, which are developed in response to large scale social needs

Two Approaches to Social Welfare Institutional: –In place to prevent problems –Proactive –Available to all, regardless of need –Examples: Social Security and Public Education

Two Approaches to Social Welfare Residual: –Designed to address already identified problems –Reactive –Only available to those in need –Examples: TANF and Food Stamps

History of American Social Welfare Begins in England

England Early aid to needy was assumed by the Church –Aid to travelers –Numerous monastery/hospitals Alms given to church meant salvation –Means for church to raise funds to care for needy Begging became a very widespread activity –Beggars everywhere –Interfering with social activity –Beggars become somewhat insistent Big problems between church and state

Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601 Codified all previous legislation related to the poor Historically previous legislation was sporadic and fragmented –Stop-gap measures without overall plan

Elizabethan Poor Law Provisions Family Responsibility –Government last—family first Categories of the poor –Able bodied poor –Impotent poor –Mothers and children –Severe penalties for giving alms to beggars Residency requirements –Local parish responsibility –Warn away—return to parish

Elizabethan Poor Law Provisions Cont’ Overseers of the Poor –Established eligibility Workhouses, almshouses, etc –Indoor relief –No outdoor relief

Elizabethan Poor Law Transported to the Colonies

Social Values Influence Social Welfare Policy

Eight Periods Characterized by: Specific Values Social Welfare Policies

Colonial Period Social Policies: Elizabethan Poor Law Rules – almshouses, workhouses, etc Values: Individualism, individual responsibility for condition Individual effort highly regarded Abundant, limitless natural resources

Colonial Period Values: consistent with WASP traditions Morality Work ethic Carnal nature of humankind

Pre-Civil War Social Policy: Residential Institutions Values: placing people with similar problems together Ease of managing needy in institutions

Civil War/Postwar Period Social Policy: First Federal Intervention Values: segregation, federal govt. as resources for those in need. South in shambles—huge problems Poor and freed slaves

Progressive Era Social Policy: Birth of Social Work profession— social needs of immigrants/poor etc., focus of concern Values: –Importance of environment and structural factors. –Govt. help in correcting economic imbalances. –Worker rights. –Social Responsibility

Progressive Era Considerable prosperity industrial production/overproduction Credit buying Spending rather than saving Needs for durable goods satisfied

Great Depression/New Deal Social Policy: Social Insurance and Public Assistance Values: social and economic conditions contribute to economic distress Economy collapses

Great Depression/New Deal FDR: “only thing to fear is fear itself” Federal govt. should help financially Infuse money back into the economy Put people back to work Public works projects WPA, CCC, many others

WWII and After Social Policy: GI Bill Values: Individual well-being WWII may have helped end depression – Industrial production revitalized – Women working in industry/war effort

WWII and After Home/family life—particularly nuclear families Service personnel honored and supported

Social Reform Period Social Policy: War on Poverty, civil rights, voting rights Values: social responsibility, question authority Strong effort to end poverty Numerous social welfare programs Johnson administration

Retrenchment Period Regan Administration Social programs terminated External aid only for “worthy” poor

Retrenchment Period Social Policy: Cutbacks and local control Values: Individual and Family responsibility More decision making given to states Reduced Federal programs and controls

Social Welfare in the New Millennium 2000-present Social Policy: Terrorism, War, Financial Struggles Values????

Predominant American Values Individualism Competition Progress Materialism Capitalism/Free market

Three Types of Packaging/ Delivering Assistance Cash assistance In-kind benefits Entitlements

Public Assistance Programs Designed to alleviate poverty “means-tested” must be poor to qualify Usually carries stigma Examples: TANF, Medicaid, food stamps, public housing

Values and Social Welfare Change the Person or the System? Worthy or Unworthy? Religious Values or Separation of Church and State? Impartial Professional or Advocate? Helping people we know or helping strangers? Crisis or ongoing need?