Historical Foundations of Social Welfare in America
Chapter 2
Colonial Period
1690-1800
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
Views of Colonial Period
America land of abundant resourcesNative people and African slaves
were regarded as nonpersons without rights
Room for growth and personal gainPoverty seen as a personal
misfortune, not a public responsibility
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth SegalCopyright 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 SegalCopyright 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 SegalCopyright 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 NorthNative people
also had no rights
Poverty was seen as personal misfortune
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
Pre-Civil War Period1800-1860
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 SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
Pre-Civil War Period1800-1860
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 SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
Civil War and Post War Period1861- 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 SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
The Progressive Era 1875-1925
Industrial ExpansionGrowth in urban area with
increase in povertyBeginning of national
involvement in social welfareRoots of social work started in
this era
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth SegalCopyright 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 SegalCopyright 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 SegalCopyright 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 SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
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 SegalCopyright 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.
THE GREAT DEPRESSION
Federal involvement in social welfare of U.S.
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
The Great Depression1925-1940
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 SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
The Social Security Act of 1935
Compromise piece of legislationCreated Social Insurance and Public
AssistanceStarted 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 SegalCopyright 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 SegalCopyright 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 SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
Post War Economy - 1940-1960
Period of economic recoveryFederal 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 SegalCopyright 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 SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
Social Reform – 1960
Civil Rights Act – 1964Older Americans Act – 1965Amended Social Security Act:
Added Medicare And Medicaid
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
Renewed conservatism1970-1980
Comprehensive Employment and Training Act – CETA – 1973
Gain for women – NOW was formed Roe vs. Wade passed
Gay rights movement mobilizedRyan White Comprehensive AIDS
Emergency Care
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth SegalCopyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education
Move towards Liberalism &Neo-liberalism 1990-2000
American Disability Act – 1990Civil Rights Restoration Act – 1993Family Medical Leave Act – 1993Personal 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 SegalCopyright 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.
The New Century
Medicare prescription drug benefitsWar: fiscal and social impacts?Next steps?