`Professionalization` of Social Welfare Reform

Title : Professionalization ' of Social Welfare Reform

Mankind 's majority gears toward development . The fast growth in technology and commerce , indeed , attests to society 's craving to improve one 's way of life . One cannot but help to expect that rapid development would guarantee to eliminate life 's social ills . On the contrary , even amongst advanced first world countries such as the United States of America , one would find a considerable number of it 's constituents unable to support or keep themselves adequately nourished , clothed housed and protected . These include people who are

very old , or the young , sick , handicapped and the destitute

It is in addressing such various needs , brought about by an increasing public awareness to overcome these social problems , where social welfare has evolved . Often referred or called charity (helping people as an act of kindness , social welfare is more systematic and less haphazard in achieving its goals . In our country , the needs of the people are met both by relief programs and through social services . While relief programs provide cash payments and goods to meet the needs of the impoverished , social services offer benefits like full health care child care and even extending various recreational and educational programs . All of which aim to improve and lift up the living conditions of the physically , mentally or financially disadvantaged

Social welfare programs in America existed as early as its history dating way back through colonial days (See Social Welfare . From Standard Encyclopedia . Assistance came from both public and private auspices . The bulk of the responsibility lies heavily on each local government under what were known as poor laws , but a voluntary agency continues to expand their programs on this field . The church plays an important role in the voluntary sector in helping people in need . The study made by Mary Mapes about faith-based organization 's contribution to social service provision , asserts these religious organization 's strong influence and in fact , continuous to be a force that cannot be ignored (M . Mapes , Religion and Social Welfare in the 20th Century Indianapolis

There were various factors in history that brought and transformed social welfare for what it is today . The settlement house movement in the late 19th century brought charity organization into being in large cities to provide relief and social services . Early pioneers were Jacob A . Riis , who founded a settlement house in New York City in 1888 and Jane Adams , who founded the Hull House settlement in Chicago the following year . Hull House also served as a training center for social workers . The Great Depression of the 1930 's was so severe , that the need for financial assistance was so widespread that meeting it was beyond the capability of the local governments and voluntary sector . While the private industry was recovering , President Roosevelt passed the New Deal program which temporarily provides employment to millions of people who were out of work . The Social Security law of 1935 permanently gave the federal government the main responsibility for welfare , particularly relief...