Shape Of Social Welfare Policy

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The Shape of Social Welfare Policy Completing Ideologies and Values Throughout History

Social Welfare is the condition or well being of individuals within a society, according to Segal and Brzuzy (1998). The history of social welfare reflects differences in values as they relate to social responsibility in taking care of the needy. Our society has been influenced by values like Judeo-Christian humanitarianism and the economic doctrine of laissez faire. Our present social welfare structure is also influenced by these values. Our English heritage has greatly affected social welfare today. Some of the standards set in England include: indoor relief; a national policy for the poor; the provision of serving the poor by placing them in institutions; and the categorization of the poor into two basic categorizes, the worthy poor and the able-bodied poor (unworthy poor).
The Elizabethan Poor Law also set precedents which include: clear government responsibility for those in need; government authority to force people to work; government enforcement of family responsibility; responsibility for carrying out programs at the local level; and strict residence requirements. In England during the late 1700’s there were other efforts that led to shaping the United States social welfare policies that address poverty. The Speenhamland Act of 1795 was one such effort. It “provided for the payment of minimum wages to workers and their families, with the government making up the difference if employers could not afford to pay all costs”. Even though it was not successful, this act set the principles of government subsidies for private employers (this was an approach promoted for in 1996 as an element of welfare reform). Social welfare in Colonial America was nonexistent, because of this charity was heavily relied on since there was no government policy to provide for the poor. A carry over from England was the establishment of almsh...