Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of social welfare policy, according to DiNitto et al.?
What is the primary focus of social welfare policy, according to DiNitto et al.?
- Providing financial assistance to individuals and families in need.
- Enhancing the quality of life for all citizens through social programs.
- Promoting social justice and equality through government programs.
- Addressing societal issues through government intervention.
- Responding to human needs such as food, housing, and healthcare. (correct)
Which of the following is NOT explicitly mentioned in this week's readings as a major driver of social welfare policy development in the United States?
Which of the following is NOT explicitly mentioned in this week's readings as a major driver of social welfare policy development in the United States?
- The Great Recession of 2008
- The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s
- The Cold War era (correct)
- The Great Depression of the 1930s
- The COVID-19 pandemic
What fundamental philosophical differences exist in American perspectives on social welfare policy?
What fundamental philosophical differences exist in American perspectives on social welfare policy?
- Individualism vs. collectivism.
- Liberal vs. conservative. (correct)
- Capitalism vs. socialism.
- Progressive vs. traditional.
- Democratic vs. republican.
Which of the following is NOT a major response to poverty and other needs, as mentioned in the DiNitto et al. reading?
Which of the following is NOT a major response to poverty and other needs, as mentioned in the DiNitto et al. reading?
What role does the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) advocate for in relation to social welfare policy?
What role does the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) advocate for in relation to social welfare policy?
What is the main difference between conservative and liberal approaches to social welfare policies?
What is the main difference between conservative and liberal approaches to social welfare policies?
Which of the following is NOT a universal social insurance program in the United States?
Which of the following is NOT a universal social insurance program in the United States?
How do socially constructed norms influence social welfare policy?
How do socially constructed norms influence social welfare policy?
What is the key takeaway regarding the relationship between the federal government and state legislatures concerning social welfare policies?
What is the key takeaway regarding the relationship between the federal government and state legislatures concerning social welfare policies?
What was the primary goal of the Social Security Act of 1935 from a liberal perspective?
What was the primary goal of the Social Security Act of 1935 from a liberal perspective?
Which of the following groups felt that the New Deal reforms were insufficient in addressing social inequalities?
Which of the following groups felt that the New Deal reforms were insufficient in addressing social inequalities?
What was the primary source of funding for the Social Security pension program?
What was the primary source of funding for the Social Security pension program?
What is the primary difference between the Social Security pension program and the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program?
What is the primary difference between the Social Security pension program and the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program?
Which of the following programs was added to the Social Security Act in 1950?
Which of the following programs was added to the Social Security Act in 1950?
Flashcards
Social Welfare Policy
Social Welfare Policy
Government's response to human needs like food, housing, and healthcare.
New Deal Programs
New Deal Programs
1930s initiatives to respond to the Great Depression in the U.S.
Social Insurance
Social Insurance
Programs that provide income support to those unable to work due to specific reasons like retirement or disability.
Public Assistance Programs
Public Assistance Programs
Government programs that offer financial aid and support to individuals in need.
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Civil Rights Legislation
Civil Rights Legislation
Laws aimed at addressing disparities based on race, gender, and other factors in social welfare policy.
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Residual Welfare Policies
Residual Welfare Policies
Social welfare programs that are means-tested and limited in duration, targeting those with genuine need.
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Universal Welfare Policies
Universal Welfare Policies
Social welfare programs providing assistance to all citizens as communal rights, regardless of need.
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Social Security
Social Security
A federal program that provides retirement and disability benefits, primarily to older adults.
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Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson
A landmark Supreme Court ruling that established 'separate but equal' doctrine regarding racial segregation.
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Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court case that ruled 'separate educational facilities are inherently unequal,' overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.
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Social Security Act of 1935
Social Security Act of 1935
Legislation creating social insurance and public assistance programs in the U.S.
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Aid to Dependent Children (ADC)
Aid to Dependent Children (ADC)
A public assistance program to support children in poor families.
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Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance
A federal-state program providing temporary financial assistance to unemployed people.
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Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
The renamed ADC recognizing the family unit in 1962.
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Social Welfare Policy Overview
- Social welfare policy is defined as government's response to human needs (food, housing, healthcare, employment, etc.)
- Many U.S. social welfare policies are rooted in New Deal programs of the 1930s, responding to the Great Depression.
- Other significant events (e.g., civil unrest of the 1960s, the Great Recession of 2008, and the COVID-19 pandemic) have also prompted policy responses.
- There are differences in approaches to human needs; liberal vs. conservative perspectives are common.
- Social insurance and public assistance programs are major responses to poverty and other needs.
- Policies also address disparities based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc. often through civil rights legislation.
- Systemic discrimination hinders some from reaping the benefits of social welfare.
- Social workers' code of ethics encourages political involvement for improving biopsychosocial well-being globally.
- Social welfare policies at multiple levels (local, state, national).
- Policy is made by legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
- Government inaction regarding human needs also significantly impacts social welfare.
Introduction and Definitions
- Social welfare refers broadly to resources/opportunities needed for a satisfying life (Midgley & Livermore, 2009).
- Governmental actions (taxation, national defense, etc.) directly and indirectly impact social welfare.
- Social welfare policies/programs often directly provide income assistance and social services.
- U.S. policy has a history of federalism with policy-making across different levels of government.
Philosophical and Ideological Underpinnings
- Individualism, liberty, and limited governmental intrusion are hallmarks of U.S. political philosophy.
- Conservative viewpoints often support limited government and private social support systems (market-driven).
- Liberals often promote public programs for those with economic disadvantages.
Social Welfare Policy: History
- 20th-century Progressive era saw a rise in policies regarding employment (e.g., workers compensation), and the protections for women and children.
- New Deal programs (1930s) significantly expanded social welfare, facing opposition from conservatives.
- Social Security Act (1935) established key social insurance and assistance programs (e.g., retirement, unemployment insurance).
- Civil Rights legislation (e.g., 1964 Civil Rights Act) changed the course of social welfare policy, as well as other government programs.
- Efforts to reduce poverty (e.g., War on Poverty) became an important focus in the 1960s.
- Conservative backlash (e.g., Reagan era) led to decreased support for social programs.
- The ACA (Affordable Care Act—2010) led to expansion of health insurance access.
- Recent events such as COVID-19 have intensified policy discussions regarding social welfare.
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