PUBLIC WELFARE, HINDRANCE OR HELP?

Public Welfare, Hindrance or Help?

Abstract

Public Welfare has been a topic of great debate and controversy ever since its inception. While a large number of people see it as a great move towards helping those in need and bringing equality in the society, a lot of people argue that it is actually a handicap that kills the sense of self-reliance amongst the members of the society and makes them dependent upon the other hardworking individuals. This paper highlights why public welfare is of significant importance to a state and its citizens, and how it helps them to have better opportunities for a better future.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

History and Background4

Problem Statement8

Methodology8

Discussion9

Well-being12

Concept of Welfare State13

Public Welfare and Welfare State13

Aid to Families with Dependent Children16

Supplemental Security Income16

Conclusion17

Annotated Bibliography20

Public Welfare, Hindrance or Help?

Topic Statement

This report discusses the concept of Public Welfare and its implications on the society. It describes the debate that has existed ever since the emergence of Public Welfare about its role in a social setup and how it affects the individual members of the society. The paper reflects upon the views that exist about the contribution that Public Welfare makes to a society. It takes into account the present literature and research work encompassing the evolution of different public welfare systems in the world, and the subsequent consequences and outcomes associates with these (Rainwater, 2009).

Introduction

History and Background

Public Welfare, also known as Social Welfare, is a system that aims to provide assistance and help to the weak and vulnerable members of a society and population. It seeks to eradicate inequalities and differences among the standards of living that persist in different segments of the society by specifically targeting the reduction of poverty (Marx, 2004). In the modern day, public welfare refers to programs and measures taken by the state and the government to provide financial and other aid to the people in need, in an effort to achieve prosperity. These include legal reforms, introduced to improve the social and economic desirability of the living conditions of the different underprivileged member individuals and groups in society. Public welfare addresses the various disparities caused by poverty across populations, especially those in income and healthcare, food, housing, shelter, education and employment standards (June & Stern, 2005).

The adaptation of public welfare policies and programs by states and governments, for the common good of the public, has given birth to various models of the welfare state across the world. All these models of a welfare state are based on the idea of fostering wellbeing of citizens.

The earliest modern public welfare system can be traced back to the 1880s when Germany adopted a social welfare policy on a nationwide level through various voluntary groups. However, it was in the 1920 and 1930s that most of the Western countries started implementing similar schemes. Before then, the social welfare system primarily rested on the efforts of individuals, family and community groups and independent charity institutions .

In the US, the Civil War gave birth to mass scale relief campaigns ...