Unit 9 the Welfare System Human Services and Social Policy
The Welfare System
The Welfare System
Instructor:
Dr.Michelle March
HN300-01
DUE: 12/20/2011
Instructor:
Dr.Michelle March
HN300-01
DUE: 12/20/2011
Franklin Moe, Jr.
Human Services & Social Policy
Franklin Moe, Jr.
Human Services & Social Policy
To understand the “Welfare System” one must know its history. The American welfare system has changed dramatically over the past 80 years. A 100 years ago, families, local communities, and charities; typically religious based, served as the safety net for those who had fallen on hard times. The Great Depression of the 1930s would see a change in social policy with the passing of President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” establishing Social Security and Aid to Dependent Children (ADC.) Thus was born the American Welfare System. The U.S. welfare system stayed in the hands of the federal government for the next sixty-one years. Many Americans were unhappy with the welfare system, claiming that individuals were abusing the welfare programs by not applying for jobs, having more children just to get more aid, and staying unmarried so as to qualify for greater benefits. Further expansion came with the Johnson’s administration in the 1960s with the establishment of Medicare, Medicaid, Public Housing, and other programs. During the Reagan presidency it was claimed that mothers with infants should not be allowed to become dependent on the welfare system, and that providing assistance for children under one year of age constituted such “dependency” The welfare system remained relatively unchanged till 1996 when President Clinton signed a sweeping welfare reform law that is still a hot topic of public controversy today. When Clinton was elected he had the intention of changing the welfare system. In 1996 the Republican Congress passed a reform law signed by President Clinton that gave the control of the welfare system back to the states. Conservatives claim a dramatic decline in welfare
The Welfare System
Instructor:
Dr.Michelle March
HN300-01
DUE: 12/20/2011
Instructor:
Dr.Michelle March
HN300-01
DUE: 12/20/2011
Franklin Moe, Jr.
Human Services & Social Policy
Franklin Moe, Jr.
Human Services & Social Policy
To understand the “Welfare System” one must know its history. The American welfare system has changed dramatically over the past 80 years. A 100 years ago, families, local communities, and charities; typically religious based, served as the safety net for those who had fallen on hard times. The Great Depression of the 1930s would see a change in social policy with the passing of President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” establishing Social Security and Aid to Dependent Children (ADC.) Thus was born the American Welfare System. The U.S. welfare system stayed in the hands of the federal government for the next sixty-one years. Many Americans were unhappy with the welfare system, claiming that individuals were abusing the welfare programs by not applying for jobs, having more children just to get more aid, and staying unmarried so as to qualify for greater benefits. Further expansion came with the Johnson’s administration in the 1960s with the establishment of Medicare, Medicaid, Public Housing, and other programs. During the Reagan presidency it was claimed that mothers with infants should not be allowed to become dependent on the welfare system, and that providing assistance for children under one year of age constituted such “dependency” The welfare system remained relatively unchanged till 1996 when President Clinton signed a sweeping welfare reform law that is still a hot topic of public controversy today. When Clinton was elected he had the intention of changing the welfare system. In 1996 the Republican Congress passed a reform law signed by President Clinton that gave the control of the welfare system back to the states. Conservatives claim a dramatic decline in welfare
References: www.welfareinfo.org Schaeffer, H. L. & Simmons, E. D. The development of an unequal social safety net: Journal of Sociology and Welfare, Sep 2009, vol. 36 issue 3, p179-199 www.policyalmanac.org/social_welfare/index.shtml Chambers, D. E., & Wedel, K. E. (2009). Social policy and social programs: A method for the practical policy analyst (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson www.voices.yahoo.com/welfare Rote, S. & Quandagno, J.: Depression and Alcohol Dependence among Poor Women: Before and After Welfare Reform: Social Service Review; Jun2011, vol 85 Issue 2, p229-245, 17p.