Institutional Affiliation

Discussion 2

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The period between the late 19th century and the mid-20th century in the United States was marked by significant events that shaped the social welfare policies and programs. Some of the significant events include the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and World War II. These events led to the development of social welfare programs aimed at addressing the needs of the poor, elderly, and disabled. In this essay, I will explore the values reflected during this time period and compare them with current services.

One of the values reflected during this time period was the belief that the recipients of social welfare services were worthy of assistance. This belief was reflected in the development of programs such as Social Security and the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). Social Security was established in 1935 as a way of providing retirement benefits to workers who had paid into the system (Miller & Pavosevich, 2019). AFDC was established in 1935 as a way of providing financial assistance to single mothers and their children. These programs reflected the belief that individuals who had worked hard and paid into the system were deserving of assistance.

Another value reflected during this time period was the separation of church and state. While religious organizations played a significant role in providing social welfare services, there was a clear separation between church and state. For example, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), established in 1933, was a program that provided work and training for young men (Mielnik, 2019). The program was administered by the federal government, and while many of the camps were located on church-owned land, there was no religious component to the program.

The focus during this time period was on changing the system rather than changing the person. The Great Depression highlighted the systemic failures that led to widespread poverty and unemployment. As a result, the government responded with programs such as the New Deal, which aimed to address these systemic issues. For example, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was established in 1935 to provide employment opportunities for millions of Americans (DiCindio & Steinmann, 2019). The program focused on creating jobs and improving infrastructure, rather than just providing financial assistance to individuals.

Helpers during this time period were seen as impartial professionals rather than advocates. Programs such as the CCC and the WPA were administered by professionals who were tasked with carrying out the goals of the programs. While there were advocacy groups that pushed for social welfare policies and programs, the individuals who administered these programs were expected to be impartial and focused on achieving the goals of the programs.

In terms of services, the focus during this time period was on providing assistance to individuals within the local community. Programs such as the Civil Works Administration (CWA), established in 1933, focused on providing employment opportunities for individuals in their own communities. The emphasis was on creating jobs that would benefit the local community and improve infrastructure. In contrast, many current social welfare programs are focused on providing assistance to strangers or individuals who are outside of the local community.