Social Work and Social Policy: Advancing the Principles of Economic and Social Justice

218 Pages·2013·1.372 MB·English

by  Ira C. Colby, Catherine N. Dulmus, Karen M. Sowers

Social Work and Social Policy
Advancing the Principles of Economic and Social Justice
Edited by
Ira C. Colby
Catherine N. Dulmus
Karen M. Sowers
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-Publication Data:
SocialWorkandSocialPolicy:AdvancingthePrinciplesofEconomicandSocialJustice/IraC.Colby,CatherineN.
Dulmus,KarenM.Sowers.
pagescm
Includesbibliographicalreferences andindex.
ISBN978-1-118-17699-3 (pbk.:alk.paper)1.Socialservice.2.Socialpolicy.I.Colby,IraC.(IraChristopher),editorof
compilation.II.Dulmus,CatherineN.,editorofcompilation.III.Sowers, KarenM.(KarenMarlaine),editorofcompilation.
HV40.S6176732013
361–dc23
2012026667
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
10987654321
Contents
Preface vii
About theEditors x
Contributors xi
Chapter 1 Social Welfare Policy as a Form of Social Justice 1
Ira Colby
Introduction 1
SocialWelfare Policy Defined 5
TheRelationshipBetween JusticeTheory andSocialWelfare
Policy 6
SocialWork ValuesandPolicy 8
TheTraditionalConceptualFramework ofSocialWelfare 9
CraftingJustice-BasedPolicy 12
Conclusion 15
KeyTerms 16
ReviewQuestionsfor CriticalThinking 16
OnlineResources 17
References 17
Chapter 2 Reconceptualizing the Evolution of the American
Welfare State 21
Bruce Jansson
Introduction 21
SomeDauntingChallenges FacingHistoriansof theAmerican
Welfare State 21
NineEras 28
Topicsfor Further Research 56
WhereNext? 60
KeyTerms 61
ReviewQuestionsfor CriticalThinking 62
OnlineResources 62
References 62
Chapter 3 Human Security and the Welfare of Societies 65
Jody Williams
Introduction 65
TheNeedto RedefineSecurityfor the21stCentury 68
iii
iv Contents
HumanSecurity:ItsFundamentalsandItsRoots 70
IsThere aFuture for aHumanSecurityFramework? 75
Conclusion 77
KeyTerms 78
ReviewQuestionsfor CriticalThinking 78
OnlineResources 79
References 79
Chapter 4 Social Policy From a Global Perspective 81
Robin Sakina Mama
Introduction 81
Globalization 82
GlobalizationasItRelatesto Policy 86
GlobalizationandEthics 87
Globalization,Policy,andSocialWork Practice 88
KeyTerms 89
ReviewQuestionsfor CriticalThinking 89
OnlineResources 89
References 90
Chapter 5 Social Justice for Marginalized and Disadvantaged
Groups: Issues and Challenges for Social Policies
in Asia 93
Joseph Kwok
Introduction 93
SocialJustice:An AsianPerspective 95
SocialJusticeandSocialHarmony 96
SocialPolicy 98
AnAsianContexton SocialPolicyandSocialJustice 99
AnAsianPerspectiveonSocialPolicyDevelopment 101
SocialEnterpriseandSocialCapital 107
Conclusion 112
KeyTerms 113
ReviewQuestionsfor CriticalThinking 113
OnlineResources 113
References 114
Chapter 6 Welfare Reform: The Need for Social Empathy 117
Elizabeth A. Segal
Introduction 117
ABrief History ofWelfare Reform 119
Contents v
Temporary Assistancefor NeedyFamilies 120
TheSuccessof Welfare Reform 121
WhoReceivesWelfare? 122
WhyWelfare Reform HasFailed 123
InherentContradictions inWelfare Reform 125
ValuesConflicts 125
TheGap inExperiencingandUnderstandingPoverty 127
SocialEmpathy 128
WhereDo WeGo From Here? TheFuture of Welfare inAmerica 130
KeyTerms 131
ReviewQuestionsfor CriticalThinking 131
OnlineResources 131
References 131
Chapter 7 Not by the Numbers Alone: The Effects of Economic
and Demographic Changes on Social Policy 135
Michael Reisch
Introduction 135
Economic Globalization 136
Poverty, Inequality,andUnemployment 139
Demographic Changes:RacismandImmigration 145
Implicationsfor SocialPolicy 150
Welfare Reform asaPolicyIllustration 151
Conclusion 153
KeyTerms 154
ReviewQuestionsfor CriticalThinking 154
OnlineResources 154
References 154
Chapter 8 The U.S. Patriot Act: Implications for the Social
Work Profession 165
Stan Stojkovic
Introduction 165
TheU.S. PatriotAct: SignificantActivitiesandaNewSystemof
Justice 167
TheU.S. PatriotAct andtheSocialWork Profession 173
Conclusion 177
KeyTerms 178
ReviewQuestionsfor CriticalThinking 178
OnlineResources 178
References 179
vi Contents
Chapter 9 Social Justice in a World of Anywhere Access? 181
Paul R. Raffoul
Introduction 181
Globalization 183
SocietalAcceptanceandUtilizationof Technology 184
Useof SocialMedia 184
InformationAccess andAuthenticity 186
EnsuringDiversity andCultural Differences 187
InfluencingtheDevelopment ofSocialPolicy 187
UnintendedConsequences ofTechnology andSocialPolicy 188
ALook Ahead totheYear 2022 189
KeyTerms 191
ReviewQuestionsfor CriticalThinking 191
OnlineResources 191
References 191
AuthorIndex 193
SubjectIndex 197
Preface
Socialwelfarepolicycanbetruemagicinthesensethatoutcomeshavethe
potential to dramatically change lives, open new possibilities, strengthen
communities, and, ultimately, realize social justice for all people. How-
ever, social welfare policy can also be an agent of oppression that stifles
growth, perpetuates myths and prejudices, and leads to institutional dis-
crimination(see Table 1). American history isfilled withfailed policies as
well as successful initiatives. Yet we are perplexed when what we see as
beingvaluedandneededisviewed byothersasrepressive andbeyondthe
scopeof government.
No one policy text can provide a complete or full picture detailing
the complexities of the social policy world. This text, however, brings
together several significant social policy experts to share their unique
perspectives. Purposefully, this work does not reflect a traditional policy
textbook approach. Yes, many additional social issues could have been
included, but our purpose is that the reader consider key issues that face
policy makers (e.g.,elected officialsandagency administrators), andfrom
there develop strategiesto createfairandjust socialpolicies.
This book is designed as a beginning social welfare policy textbook
forundergraduateandgraduatestudentsinsocialworkprograms.Thetext
provides abroadoverview ofsocialwelfarepolicyintheUnitedStatesand
anintroductiontoglobalpolicyissues.ThisbookaddressestheCouncilon
Social Work Education (CSWE) required competencies for accreditation.
Specifically, the book addresses the following required accreditation
competencies:
• EducationalPolicy2.1.4—Engagediversityanddifferenceinpractice
• EducationalPolicy2.1.5—Advancehumanrightsandsocialandeco-
nomic justice
• EducationalPolicy2.1.8—Engageinpolicypractice(knowthehistory
andcurrentstructuresofsocialpoliciesandservices;theroleofpolicy
inservice delivery)
• EducationalPolicy2.1.9—Respondtothecontextsthatshapepractice
Wearestruckthatmanyoftheconfoundingissuesthatarediscussed
today are similar to those that plagued social services 100 and 200 years
ago. We also see the influences of the ever-changing technological world.
Today wespeak of aglobal community, not aninternationalworld; global
vii
viii Preface
implies more evening between nation states in the north, south, east, and
west; geographic borders are diminished as people are able to communi-
cate directly witheachother inrealtime. Clearly, technology continuesto
take on a more dominant role in social services. Although we are excited
aboutwhatseemstobethedailynewversionofalaptop,iPad,iPhone,or
software, weare equallyperplexed withtheunexpectedethicalissuesthat
result ina world of social media. How do we ensure that our privacy and
rightsareprotected, inparticularinthispost-9/11world?
Table 1
ExamplesofPositiveandNegativeSocialPolicies
PositiveSocialPolicy NegativeSocialPolicy
Medicare Oneofthelargesthealth ArizonaImmigrationLaw: Includesprovisions thatadd
insurance programsinthe SupportOurLaw statepenaltiesthatare
worldthatprovidesa EnforcementandSafe relatedtoenforcing
modifiedformofuniversal NeighborhoodsAct immigrationlaw,suchas
healthinsurance tothe harboringortransporting
elderlyaswellasmany illegalimmigrants,
disabledpeople. trespassing,employer
sanctions, human
smuggling,andalien
registrationdocuments.
HeadStart Providessignificant AidtoFamilieswith Limitedfinancialassistanceto
Program educational,health, DependentChildren female-headedhouseholds,
economic, and which unintentionally
quality-of-lifebenefitsto encouragedmalestobe
HeadStartstudents,their absent.
families,andthe
communities inwhich they
live.
SocialSecurity Whilepovertywasoncefar TemporaryAssistanceto Limitslifetimeassistanceto
moreprevalentamongthe NeedyFamilies poorfamiliestofiveyears.
elderlythanamongother
age-groups,thepovertyrate
amongseniorsissimilarto
thatofworking-ageadults
andmuchlowerthanthat
ofchildren; SocialSecurity
isoftenmentionedasa
likely contributortothe
declineinelderlypoverty.
EarnedIncome Viewedasapowerful ReductionofFundingto U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
TaxCredit anti-povertytool,with SupplementalNutrition AgricultureCommittee
researchshowingthatthis Program(SNAP) voted(inApril2012)to
programisthesinglemost reduceSNAPby$33billion;
importantfactorinlifting inTexasalone,300,000
peopleoutofpoverty. familieswillreceive
reducedbenefits