Social Justice and Social Welfare Policy The Social Work Experience 5 th Edition Mary Ann Suppes & Carolyn Cressy Wells Chapter 3 This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; Any rental, lease, or lending of the program. © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

Populations At Risk of Social and Economic Injustice 1 in 6 children live in poverty in the U.S. 1 in 3 Americans are members of ethnic minority groups Persons with disabilities are denied access to resources when the definition of “disability” changes LGBTQ persons are excluded from accepted social norms and benefits © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

Global Social and Economic Justice 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human rights: – Article 1 “…all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” – Article 25 “Everyone has a right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family…” © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

Impact of Economic Injustice Limits vocational aspirations Prevents effective and appropriate parenting Contributes to a sense of hopelessness and devaluation Limits access to safe and stable housing Limits access to food and nutrition Limits access to effective health and mental health care Limits transportation and mobility © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

What is Poverty? Poverty line = 3X a 1960 basic food budget Today’s basic food budget accounts for approximately 20% of necessary household costs The poverty line is set lower for the elderly Not having enough income to cover basic household needs © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

Discrimination Groups with less power (economic, political, social) are vulnerable to discrimination and oppression (exclusion) Dominant culture policies have included practices designed to exterminate low power groups (e.g., Jews, Native Americans, the disabled) Dominant culture policies have included practices that isolate/segregate low power groups (e.g., African Americans, Native Americans, mentally ill, Japanese) Practices and policies designed for powerful groups to retain power and control © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

Impacts of Social Injustice The strengths and abilities of an individual are deemed irrelevant due to their identification with a low power group RacismSexismAgeismHomophobia discriminate against those from a non- dominant racial/ethnic group discriminate against women discriminate against the elderly fear of and discrimination against those who are homosexual © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

The Response to Social Injustice Values = Policy = Benefits and Services © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

Approaches to Social Welfare Residual – Families take care of their own – Employment is imperative – Access social welfare services only when all else has failed – Resources are available temporarily to resolve the emergency Institutional – Society supports those in need – Social welfare services are available to prevent problems – Use of these services is “normal” and acceptable © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

Historical Influences on Social Welfare 1601: In England the poor had to be controlled 1776: In the US state governments were responsible for “assisting” (or not) the poor Policy makers believed that natural forces existed to “manage” the poor : The education and support of former slaves was a brief federal responsibility : Social work emerges to assist the poor © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

1935 Social Security Act Social Insurance: Insurance benefits for those who paid taxes in the event of disability or death Public Assistance: Benefits for those who meet a specific definition of need Health and Welfare Services: Health care benefits and food assistance for eligible recipients © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

TANF v. ADFC TANF – Funds are block-granted to states – Immigrants were not eligible – Families are limited to a maximum of 5 yrs of assistance – Parents with children 24 mo.+ are required to seek employment AFDC – Income eligible Families with children were entitled – All US citizens were eligible – No time limits or family size restrictions – Parents with children 3 yrs + were encouraged to work © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

Values = Policies Current values – Anti-immigration – Pro work outside the home – Pro private contracting and competition – Pro faith-based service provision Policies – Poverty definition – Minimum wage – Affirmative action – Tax incentives – Lack of national health care – Cumbersome application procedures © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

Global Social Justice U.S. vs. 50 Prosperous Nations U.S. Strengths – Military spending and technology – Private business profits and individual wealth – Health technology U.S. Deficits – Living standards of the poor compared to the wealthy – Children living in poverty – Low birth weight and infant mortality – Keeping children safe from gun violence © 2009 Allyn & Bacon

Social Work Commitment to Social Justice NASW 2005 Congress Advocate for universal health care Promote human rights for all Engage in politics, public policy, and social action Confront institutional racism Impact the influence of corporate and political power at all levels © 2009 Allyn & Bacon