The Increase of Social Welfare in the United States

The Increase of Social Welfare in the United States

Social Welfare is defined as being programs that are run by government to promote the well being of its citizens. Throughout the history of the United States Social Welfare programs have been subject to many changes, due to the changing philosophies of Us Citizens.

During Colonial times Social Welfare needs were met primarily through mutual aid. The majority of people lived in farming communities. People in these communities lived in extended families. People generally worked together to support each other. If a person had a problem their families and communities reached out to help. Only rarely were there people who did not get their needs met by their families. In that event, churches or private organizations usually stepped into help these people. (Morales, Sheafor, 2000)

The 1800’s and early 1900’s brought about major changes to families and to the economy. People began to move away from farms and into cities where there were jobs. People began to rely solely on themselves rather than their extended families for support. As industrialization began machines began to take over work that was previously done by people. People found it increasingly hard to find work that could sustain their needs. People who were from vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, had a difficult time getting their needs met. People began to have a real need for social welfare programs that were beyond what families and communities could provide. (Morales, Sheafor, 2000)

As Colonial America grew more complex, the localized systems of relief were strained. The result was some limited movement to state funding and the creation of poor

houses to ‘contain’ the problem. (Tanenhaus, 2000) Relief was made as unpleasant as possible in order to discourage dependence. Those people who received relief could lose their personal property, their right to vote, their right to move, and in some cases were even required to were a large “P” on their clothing to announce their status. (SSA History Page).

The 1930’s brought about economic disaster for the United States. Unemployment levels soared to 25%. (SSA) Suddenly there were all types of people who were unable to meet their own needs. People could no longer justify economic failure as moral defects. Economic disaster became so widespread during the Great Depression th...

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...enefits. The definition of disabilities also changed. (Morales, Sheafor, 2000) This forced many people who had previously been eligible for aid, off of the welfare roles.

Welfare recipients are now expected to get a job within the first two years of receiving assistance. It is unclear what will happen when people are forced off of public assistance. In 1998 there was a 3% decline in the poverty level, yet a 35% decline in the number of people receiving public assistance. (Morales, Sheafor, 2000). It is clear that ending AFDC did not solve the problem of poverty in the United States.

References

Social Work A Profession of Many Faces

Armando Morales and Bradford Sheafor

Copy write 2000

Welfare, History, and the Framing of Twenty-First Century Social Policy

David s. Tanenhaus

Printed in the Journal of Social Service Review

Volume 74 number 3 September 2000

Page 174

Social Security Administration

Introduction to the AFDC Program

Stephen Page and Mary Larner

Printed in The Journal of The Future of Children

Volume 7 No. 1 Spring 1997

What Was Really Great About The Great Society

Joseph A. Califano

Printed in The Washington Monthly

October 1999