Understanding Social Welfare: A Search For Social Justice

by Dolgoff, Ralph; Feldstein, Donald

• ISBN13: 9780205478064
• ISBN10: 0205478069
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This readable, well-organized, comprehensive, and scholarly text is accessible to social work students and helps them learn about, understand, analyze, and evaluate social welfare policies and programs. The text focuses on the impact of social structure on peoplers"s lives, emphasizing human rights and the search for social justice based on the current concerns of a diverse client population, and incorporating the latest contextual factors and social welfare legislation. What Reviewers Are Saying "The approach [of Understanding Social Welfare] is among the best. . . . I would not use another text." George T. Patterson, New York University "I consider it a great strength that this text incorporates the diversity component throughout the text, which is so essential to the social work curriculum. . . . An awareness of this diversity affords the student a valuable perspective and a broader context to evaluate our own state of social policy." Sheli Bernstein-Goff, West Liberty State College [ Insert MyHelpingLab Advertisement ]

Table of Contents

Preface	xvii
About the Authors	xxi
Socioeconomic Structure, Human Needs, and Mutual Responsibility	1	(18)
Overview	1	(1)
The Impact of Social and Economic Structures	2	(2)
Defining Social Welfare and Social Work	4	(1)
The American Myth of the Hero	4	(3)
Balancing Individual and Societal Responsibilities	7	(1)
Human Rights, Social Justice, Social Work, and Social Welfare	8	(5)
Beliefs about Social Justice	9	(1)
The Social Minimum: The Standard for Social Justice	10	(1)
The NASW Standard: Equal Access and Rights	11	(1)
Toward the Social Minimum	12	(1)
Views of Social Welfare	12	(1)
The Authors' Perspective	13	(3)
Summary	16	(1)
Questions for Consideration	16	(1)
Notes	17	(2)
Social Values and Social Welfare	19	(18)
Overview	19	(1)
Modern Views of Humanity	20	(1)
Self-Actualization versus Irritation Response Theories	21	(1)
Economics and Human Motivation	22	(1)
An Overview of History	23	(1)
Altruism and Mutual Aid	23	(1)
Ancient Cultures	24	(5)
Egypt	24	(2)
Hebrew and Judaic Societies	26	(2)
Greece and Rome	28	(1)
Early Christianity	29	(1)
Holy Poverty and Expectations of the Wealthy	30	(1)
Eastern Cultures	31	(3)
China	31	(1)
India	32	(1)
Islam	33	(1)
Summary: Evolving Values and Social Welfare	34	(1)
Questions for Consideration	34	(1)
Notes	35	(2)
Social Values and Social Welfare: England from the Middle Ages Onward	37	(24)
Overview	37	(1)
The Early Middle Ages	37	(2)
The Middle Middle Ages	39	(1)
The Late Middle Ages to Elizabethan Poor Laws	40	(4)
Work and Religion	44	(4)
The Poor Laws	48	(1)
The Poor Law Compilation of 1601	48	(2)
Speenhamland	50	(2)
The Workhouse	52	(1)
The Poor Law of 1834	53	(2)
Principles of the Poor Laws	55	(1)
Summary	56	(1)
Questions for Consideration	57	(1)
Notes	57	(4)
Social Values and Social Welfare: The American Experience I	61	(26)
Overview	61	(1)
American Poor Law Mentality	61	(1)
Settlements, Labor, and Imported ``Poor Laws''	62	(3)
The Early Spanish Influence, the Mexicans, and Other Hispanics	65	(2)
Voluntary Mutual Aid Efforts	67	(3)
Mutual Aid among African Americans	67	(3)
Voluntary and Public Responsibilities	70	(1)
The American Frontier: The Myth and Values	71	(3)
American Indians and U.S. History	74	(3)
The Federal Role in Social Welfare	77	(1)
The Freedmen's Bureau	78	(1)
Veterans and a Suspension of the Ethic	79	(2)
Social Darwinism	81	(1)
The Coming of Social Insurance	81	(2)
Society, Social Values, and Modern Views of Human Nature	83	(1)
Summary	83	(1)
Questions for Consideration	84	(1)
Notes	84	(3)
America, Poverty, Two Paths: The American Experience II	87	(20)
Overview	87	(1)
Three Discoveries of Poverty	87	(5)
First Discovery	88	(1)
The Fading of the First Discovery	89	(1)
Second Discovery	89	(1)
Third Discovery	90	(2)
The War on Poverty	92	(3)
Eight Outcomes	93	(2)
The ``Skirmish'' against Poverty	95	(1)
Families, Children, and Poverty	96	(6)
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (``Welfare'')	96	(3)
An Old-New Path	99	(2)
Social Security	101	(1)
Contrasting Values and Aims	101	(1)
The Poor Laws Today	102	(1)
Human Nature and the American Dream	103	(1)
Summary	104	(1)
Questions for Consideration	104	(1)
Notes	105	(2)
Concepts for Social Welfare	107	(24)
Overview	107	(1)
What is Social Welfare?	107	(3)
Social Policy, Social Services, and Social Work	110	(1)
Social Policy	110	(1)
Social Services	110	(1)
Social Work	111	(1)
Ideology, Social Policy, and Government Intervention	111	(6)
Five Routes to Social Policy	115	(2)
The Federal and Pluralist System	117	(1)
The Economic Sphere	118	(3)
Fiscal Policy	118	(2)
Monetary Policy	120	(1)
The Importance of Fiscal and Monetary Policy	121	(2)
A Tarnished Business Sector?	123	(1)
An International Economy	123	(1)
A Second Welfare System---Corporate Welfare	124	(1)
A Changed World---Old/New Ideology, New Policies, New Economic Forces, New Social Policy, and New Social Services	125	(1)
A Changed Context	126	(2)
Summary	128	(1)
Questions for Consideration	129	(1)
Notes	129	(2)
Examining a Social Welfare Program within the Context of Social Justice: Structural Components, Alternative Program Characteristics, and Evaluation	131	(28)
Overview	131	(1)
Structural Components	132	(5)
What Are the Needs and Goals to Be Met?	132	(1)
What is the Form of Benefit That the Program Produces?	133	(1)
Who is Eligible for the Program?	133	(1)
How is the Program Financed?	134	(2)
What is the Level of Administration?	136	(1)
Alternative Program Characteristics	137	(10)
Residual, Institutional, Developmental, or Socioeconomic Asset Development	137	(3)
Selective or Universal	140	(3)
Benefits in Money, Services, or Utilities	143	(1)
Public or Private	144	(1)
Central or Local	145	(2)
Lay or Professional	147	(1)
Evaluating the Program	147	(4)
Adequacy	148	(1)
Financing	148	(2)
Coherence	150	(1)
Latent Consequences	150	(1)
Testing for Social Justice	151	(5)
Whose Social Justice?	151	(1)
Views and Proponents	152	(3)
The Social Work Practice Sphere and Social Justice	155	(1)
Reader's Choice	155	(1)
Summary	156	(1)
Questions for Consideration	156	(1)
Notes	156	(3)
The Welfare Society and Its Clients	159	(34)
Overview	159	(1)
Who is a Client of Social Welfare?	159	(2)
What is Poverty?	161	(4)
Absolute Poverty	161	(3)
Relative Comparison Poverty	164	(1)
A Description of the Poor	165	(4)
Income and Wealth Inequality	169	(4)
The Effect of Some Government Programs	173	(2)
The Near-Poor and Expectations	175	(1)
Other Views of Poverty	176	(4)
Relative Inequality	177	(1)
Lack of Power, Access, and Inclusion	177	(2)
The Underclass/Culture of Poverty Thesis	179	(1)
Strategies for Fighting Poverty	180	(4)
Social Utilities	180	(1)
Investment in Human Capital	180	(1)
Income Transfers	181	(1)
Rehabilitation	182	(1)
Aggregative and Selective Economic Measures	182	(2)
Participation and Organization	184	(1)
Ideology Revisited	184	(1)
The Second Bush Administration	185	(4)
Tax Cuts	186	(1)
Faith-Based Initative	186	(1)
Social Security	187	(1)
Medicare	187	(1)
No Child Left Behind	187	(1)
The 2006 Budget	187	(2)
Starve the Beast	189	(1)
Ideology Once Again	189	(1)
Summary	189	(1)
Questions for Consideration	190	(1)
Notes	190	(3)
Current Social Welfare Programs---Economic Security	193	(38)
Overview	193	(1)
Social Insurance Programs	194	(21)
Social Security (OASDI)	194	(12)
Unemployment Compensation	206	(5)
Workers' Compensation	211	(4)
Income Support Programs	215	(11)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families	215	(4)
Supplemental Security Income	219	(3)
General Assistance	222	(2)
Earned Income Tax Credit	224	(2)
Socioeconomic Asset Development	226	(3)
Summary	229	(1)
Questions for Consideration	229	(1)
Notes	229	(2)
Social Welfare Programs: Sustaining the Quality of Life	231	(44)
Overview	231	(1)
Managed Care: A Radical Change	231	(4)
Major Organizational Types	232	(1)
Impact on Services and Practitioners	233	(1)
Proponents	233	(1)
Strategies to Achieve Profits	233	(1)
Public Criticism, Courts, and Legislation	234	(1)
Health Care Programs	235	(10)
Medicare	236	(4)
Medicaid	240	(5)
Nutrition Programs	245	(4)
The Food Stamp Program	245	(2)
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children	247	(1)
School Lunch and Breakfast Programs	248	(1)
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance	249	(1)
Housing	250	(3)
Veterans' Benefits	253	(3)
Employment Programs	256	(1)
Personal Social Services	257	(11)
Title XX	259	(1)
Defense Department Social and Mental Health Services	260	(1)
Services to Families	261	(1)
Services to Children	262	(6)
Mental Health Services	268	(2)
Corrections	270	(3)
Summary	273	(1)
Questions for Consideration	273	(1)
Notes	273	(2)
Nonprofit and Private Social Welfare	275	(24)
Overview	275	(1)
Early Patterns	275	(1)
The Nonprofit Sector	276	(2)
Types of Nonprofit Agencies	277	(1)
The Proprietary Private For-Profit Organization	278	(1)
Services of the Nonprofit and Private Sectors	279	(1)
Getting and Spending	279	(5)
Private and Nonprofit Agencies as Social Welfare Programs	284	(3)
A Point of View	287	(1)
Leadership, Class, and Gender	287	(1)
Private and Public Spheres	288	(5)
Uses of Public Funds and Power	288	(2)
Tax Laws and Policy	290	(1)
Programmatic Links	290	(1)
Accountability	290	(1)
National Policy: Church and State	291	(2)
Marketplace and the Nonmarket Domain	293	(1)
Family and Friends	294	(1)
Toward the Future	295	(1)
Summary	296	(1)
Questions for Consideration	297	(1)
Notes	297	(2)
Social Work: The Emergence of a Profession	299	(20)
Overview	299	(1)
The Workers of ``Good Works''	299	(6)
The Process of Professionalization	305	(1)
A Brief History of Practice and Methods	306	(4)
Development of the Professional Association	310	(1)
Social Work with Groups	311	(2)
Community Organization and Social Planning	313	(2)
Toward a Unified Profession	315	(1)
Summary	316	(1)
Questions for Consideration	316	(1)
Notes	317	(2)
Social Work: Functions, Context, and Issues	319	(16)
Overview	319	(1)
The Purposes of Social Work	319	(1)
The Professional within Complex Organizations	320	(3)
Complex Organizations and Professional Culture	321	(1)
Complex Organizations and Authority	321	(1)
The Profession and Professional Autonomy	322	(1)
Alternative Roles and Settings	323	(1)
Society, the Functions of Social Work, and Services for People	323	(1)
The ``Bottom Line''	324	(1)
The Two Tracks of Social Work: Cause and Function	324	(4)
Generic-Specific Social Work	328	(2)
Professionals and Volunteers	330	(1)
The Number of Social Workers	331	(1)
Issues Confronting the Profession: Leadership, Race and Ethnicity, Accountability, and Empirical Evidence	331	(1)
Summary	332	(1)
Questions for Consideration	333	(1)
Notes	333	(2)
Social Trends Affecting Social Welfare	335	(22)
Overview	335	(1)
National Society	335	(1)
Individual and Shared Goals	336	(1)
The International Economy	337	(1)
Population Growth and Resources	337	(4)
The United States: A Changing Population	341	(2)
Productivity and the Service Economy	343	(2)
Ethnicity and Pluralism	345	(2)
Gender	347	(1)
Gay Men and Lesbians	348	(5)
The Place of Social Welfare in a Changing Context	353	(1)
Summary	353	(1)
Questions for Consideration	354	(1)
Notes	354	(3)
Toward the General Welfare and Social Justice	357	(36)
Overview	357	(1)
Globalization and Social Justice	357	(3)
What is Globalization?	358	(1)
Globalization, Competition, and the Role of the Private Sector	359	(1)
Challenges Facing Social Welfare	360	(4)
The State of the Welfare State	361	(2)
The Roles of Social Work	363	(1)
Disparities in Health and Health Care and Social Justice	364	(6)
Disparities	364	(2)
Recent Health Initiatives	366	(1)
What Can Be Done?	367	(2)
The Roles of Social Work	369	(1)
U.S. Health Care in International Perspective	369	(1)
What Should Be Done?	370	(1)
Elder Abuse and Social Justice	370	(6)
Dimensions of the Problem	371	(1)
Types of Elder Abuse	371	(1)
Risk Factors for Elder Abuse	372	(1)
Elder Abuse is a Crime	372	(1)
Laws and Legislation	373	(1)
Issues Confronting Elder Abuse Policy and Services	373	(1)
Diversity Issues	374	(1)
Issues for the Future	375	(1)
A Second Welfare System: Corporate and Taxpayer Welfare and Social Justice	376	(3)
Tax Expenditures	376	(3)
Retaining Social Justice: How to Reform Social Security	379	(3)
Alternatives Facing the Practitioner	382	(2)
Technology and Social Action	384	(1)
Where We Are	385	(3)
Summary	388	(1)
Questions for Consideration	388	(1)
Notes	389	(4)
Appendix: Sources of Information	393	(6)
Index	399