13. History of Social Work Flashcards
What significant legislation helped shift the responsibility of state and federal governments to assist the poor?
Colonial poor laws derived from Elizabethan concepts which held that local government was responsible for the poor. It was not until the social security act of 1935 that most of the obligation was shifted to federal and state governments.
Which population were social workers originally supposed to offer guidance to?
The 19th century Charity Organization Societies were precursors to social casework. To individualize charity, they sent “friendly visitors” to offer guidance to the poor and to provide follow-up to the planned giving that was an essential component of scientific charity.
In what decade did the idea that the cause of poverty was a society problem, and not an individual problem, gain traction?
The idea that the cause of poverty rested in the larger society rather than within the attributes of the individual, gained currency during the 1960’s. The term “blaming the victim” came to be used to attack the culture of poverty theory.
How did the advancement of modern medicine create the need for psychotherapy?
Deinstitutionalization was advanced as a major strategy only after psychotropic meds proved safe & effective. Prior to that time, there would have been little professional or political support for seriously ill patients.
Who were the original “Social Workers” and what was their methodology?
Social settlements are closely linked to group practice; the charity organizations of the late 19th century were the precursors of modern SW in that they advocated ‘scientific casework’ designed to rehabilitate the poor, rather than humanitarian aid for its own sake.
How will welfare reform laws impact the future of social work assistance?
The recent welfare reform law mandates a lifetime limit for welfare assistance, a feature that many in social work find short-sighted. Though the law also anticipates support services to help welfare families achieve independence, these supports have not been uniformly available. As states implement more restrictive policies, welfare caseloads have declined. As more clients reach their time limits for assistance, it is anticipated that welfare roles will decline further.
