Historical Foundations of Social Welfare in America Chapter 2.

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


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


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 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


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


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


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


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



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


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



Settlement Movement Social Workers should live (settle)

amongst the poor Empowerment through community

involvement Encouraged organizations to gain

political and social power



Fostered social workers involvement in:

Social welfare policy development

Group Work Community Involvement Hull House classic example


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.


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


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 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


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


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 Reform – The 60’s

War on Poverty – 1964 Equal Opportunity Act Head Start VISTA Job Corp Food Stamp Program


Social Reform – 1960

Civil Rights Act – 1964Older Americans Act – 1965Amended Social Security Act:

Added Medicare And Medicaid


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


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


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?

Historical Foundations of Social Welfare in America Chapter 2.

Documents

Transcript of Historical Foundations of Social Welfare in America Chapter 2.