Origins of Social Work

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Questions and Answers

What was a key responsibility of the Christian church during the Middle Ages in Europe?

Advocating for social change

Providing direct relief to those in need (correct)

Creating large bureaucratic organizations

Establishing government welfare programs

What significant change occurred with the emergence of industrialization and urbanization?

The decline of Christian charity in society

The establishment of large-scale social welfare services (correct)

The return to pre-modern antecessors of social work

The renewed importance of individual casework

Which organization is credited with pioneering individual casework in the mid-19th century?

The United Nations

The Red Cross

The Charity Organisation Society (correct)

The Salvation Army

Before modern social work, which entity primarily managed social services during the pre-modern period?

Christian churches Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of charity linked to in the history of social work?

Religious beliefs in various cultures Signup and view all the answers

What role did monasteries serve in the context of pre-modern social services?

They functioned as comprehensive social-service agencies. Signup and view all the answers

Which societal system began to develop in response to poverty and inequality before modern social work emerged?

Voluntary charity organizations Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the limitations of charity work in the pre-modern period?

Charity failed to address root causes of social problems. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the Charity Organization Society (COS) founded by Helen Bosanquet and Octavia Hill?

To teach self-help and limit government intervention Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophy emerged during the 19th century that emphasized a rational and empirical approach to charity?

Scientific charity Signup and view all the answers

What initiative did Alsager Hay Hill champion to improve the conditions of the unemployed?

Creation of a national labor registration system Signup and view all the answers

What were the main social issues that prompted the affluent classes to engage in urban missions during the 19th century?

Poverty, prostitution, and disease Signup and view all the answers

Who is regarded by many as the founder of modern social work?

Octavia Hill Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the 19th-century religious revival in relation to social problems?

Development of urban missions aimed at alleviating suffering Signup and view all the answers

What role did state-built mental asylums play during the 19th century?

To care for the mentally ill Signup and view all the answers

What did the term 'secular, rational, and empirical' relate to in the context of 19th-century charitable approaches?

Scientific charity emphasizing evidence-based relief efforts Signup and view all the answers

What system was established by the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601?

Local parish-administered system funded by local rates Signup and view all the answers

What was one form of relief provided for the 'impotent poor' under the Poor Law?

Provision of outdoor relief items like food Signup and view all the answers

What major change did the Poor Law Amendment Act introduce to the relief system in Britain?

It established workhouses for poor relief Signup and view all the answers

What were conditions in workhouses intended to achieve?

To discourage able-bodied individuals from seeking help Signup and view all the answers

What was the first recorded almshouse in Colonial America built for?

Only Quakers Signup and view all the answers

How was the Poor Law system financed after the Poor Law Amendment Act?

By levying a poor rate on property owners Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of houses of correction with respect to able-bodied beggars?

To enforce discipline and encourage work Signup and view all the answers

What was a common characteristic of housing for the elderly and ill during this period?

It often lacked adequate resources and support Signup and view all the answers

What did the Church establish with the funds acquired from gifts and state endowments?

Welfare foundations Signup and view all the answers

Which institution was founded by Basil the Great at the end of the fourth century?

Basilieas Signup and view all the answers

In what area did traditional healers serve in their communities, according to historical descriptions?

Legal advisors Signup and view all the answers

Which term is no longer commonly used to refer to traditional healers?

Witch-doctor Signup and view all the answers

What types of institutions represented a significant advance over the old pagan world?

Hospitals and orphanages Signup and view all the answers

What role did traditional healers perform besides providing medical care?

They also served as marriage counselors. Signup and view all the answers

Which kind of support did ancient governments start providing before the establishment of Church fundings?

Healthcare support Signup and view all the answers

What were poorhouses established for in the context of Christian charity?

To shelter those unable to support themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of J.M. Reyes's dissertation?

Personal experiences of former settlement house participants Signup and view all the answers

In which year was the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's centenary information archived?

2008 Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key themes discussed in Asa Briggs's 'Social Thought and Social Action'?

Historical changes in social thoughts Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'Poverty: A Study in Town Life' by B.S. Rowntree?

It was an early sociological survey of urban poverty Signup and view all the answers

What historical period does 'History of Social Work in Europe (1900–1960)' cover?

The evolution of professional social work practice Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is linked to the history discussed in JRF's 'Our heritage' page?

Joseph Rowntree Foundation Signup and view all the answers

What field does the article by Parker-Oliver and Demiris primarily focus on?

Social Work Informatics Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'architects of social welfare' refer to in the context of social work history?

Professionals who design social welfare programs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social work is rooted in society's efforts to address poverty and inequality.
Traditional charity has origins across major religions and dates back to ancient times.
The Christian church played a significant role in social services before modern state involvement.

Pre-Modern Contributions

Burial societies, poorhouses, homes for the aged, and hospitals were established by the church in the Roman Empire post-4th century.
By 580 AD, churches organized systems to distribute consumables to the poor through diaconiums associated with parishes.
Monasteries acted as comprehensive social-service agencies during the Middle Ages, with clergy administering much of the charity work in Europe.

Industrialization and urbanization reduced reliance on the church and family for social support and led to the need for formal welfare services.
The development of modern social work emerged from three strands: individual casework, social administration, and poverty relief.
The Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601 established a system of parish-level relief and aimed to assist the "deserving poor."

Poor Law and Charity Systems

The Poor Law Amendment Act restructured the poor relief system in Britain, creating workhouses and a Poor Law Commission for oversight.
Able-bodied individuals could only receive aid in workhouses, often under harsh conditions, marking a shift away from outdoor relief.

Almshouses emerged in the 18th century in Colonial America to support the vulnerable, with the first built in 1713 by William Penn for Quakers.
New York and New Orleans established public shelters for the poor by the mid-1700s.

The 19th century's technological advancements and urban migration heightened social issues, prompting a response from the prosperous classes.
"Scientific charity" philosophy emerged, advocating for secular and rational approaches to charity rather than sentimental or dogmatic methods.
Rescue societies were created to support women in prostitution, highlighting the profession's early social reform efforts.

Key Organizations and Figures

The Charity Organization Society (COS) founded in 1869 by Helen Bosanquet and Octavia Hill is viewed as the cornerstone of modern social work.
COS emphasized individual casework, self-help, and limited government intervention.
Octavia Hill's contributions included systemic social work practices and advocating for the unemployed's welfare.

Historical Context and Development

The church historically organized charity through large institutions such as hospitals, poorhouses, and orphanages, marking a significant advance from ancient systems.
By the late 19th century, public and private efforts combined to address the changing landscape of social needs and the emergence of social work as a profession.

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Description

Explore the historical foundations of social work, tracing its roots from ancient charitable practices to modern welfare systems. This quiz covers key contributions from religious institutions and the shift towards organized social services in response to societal changes. Test your knowledge on the evolution of social work and its role in addressing poverty and inequality.