Week 1- Social Welfare & History

Question 1

Define social justice

Answer 1

Refers to a fair and equitable division of resources, opportunities, and privileges in society

Question 2

Explain critical social policy

Answer 2

Involves comprehensive understanding of how to critically unpack and analyze social issues social policies

Question 3

Explain the two definitions of social policy.

Answer 3

1. Any gov’t action aimed at addressing social needs such as issues of employment, education, healthcare, housing and sustenance
2. Academic discipline, social policy refers to the study of how societies distribute resources to address the aforementioned social needs while considering the economics, history, politics, psychology, and sociology.

Question 4

Explain what social policy does. (3)

Answer 4

• Underpinned by the progressive redistributive concerns to ensure equality in the standard of life of people in society
• Increases well-being of all people in scoiety
• Problematize and increases visibility of deprivation

Question 5

Define social welfare. (2)

Answer 5

• Considered as a state or condition of human well-being that exists when social problems are managed, when human needs are met, and when social opportunities are maximized
• Seeks to provide minimum level of income, service, or other support to marginalized groups

Question 6

What is welfare? (5)

Answer 6

Can be traced back to fourteenth century when it meant to journey well and indicate happiness and prosperity

• Came to be associated with the assessment of and provision for needs in the welfare state
• Provided by government, volunteers, non-profit organizations
• Providing help to needy persons unable to care for themselves
• To eliminate or reduce the incidence of social problems

Question 7

What is the relationship between social work and social welfare?

Answer 7

Includes laws, programs, benefits, and services that strengthen provisions of social, basic well-being of population

Major society institutions which ave designated roles and responsibilities for meeting human needs

Question 8

What are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory? (5)

Answer 8

• Self-actualization (morality, creativity, acceptance)
• Self-esteem (confidence, achievement, respect of others)
• Love and belonging (friendship, family, intimacy)
• Safety and security (health, employment)
• Physiological needs (breathing, food, water)

Question 9

What is the relationship between social work and social welfare?

Answer 9

Social services: programs, services, and other activities provided to concretely answer needs and problems of society members

Social work: profession concerned with human adjustment to environment. Promotes social change, problem solving in human relqationship, and the empowerment and liberation of people

Question 10

What is the history of social policy?

Answer 10

• Emergence is linked to development of industrialization and capitalism in 19th century
• Markets emerged and failure was driven by supply and demand
• State intervene to sustain people’s lives

Question 12

Describe the levels of policy making in Canada

Answer 12

Macro: International (free trade, financial aid), federal (old age security, EI), provincial (child welfare, welfare rates, health services)

Mezzo: Local (recreation), organizational (agencies within government)

Micro: frontline service provider