Abstract This paper discusses Ontarians who are receiving socialassistance. It looks at the resources that people need to deal with their environment, as well as to fulfill personal aspirations, and discusses the wide variety of health differences which have their source in advantaged or disadvantaged environments. The paper also discusses the significant gap between the rich and poor in Ontario.
From the Paper "Based on the materialist explanation for the income and health relationship, individuals have different material advantages or disadvantages that will accumulate over the life span (Raphael, 2004). People born into poverty cannot have the advantages of a good education leading to a desirable income. The neo-materialist explanation for the health and income relationship is that living conditions produce an impact that influences people's health. Furthermore, there are certain societal factors which determine the quality of the social determinants of health. The government decides how the society's resources will be distributed; how the decision is made will create an impact on the quality of social determinants of health (Raphael, 2004). People who receive social assistance have no choice but to live in conditions that are harmful to health."
Analyzes 3 articles on socialassistance: "Slouching toward the Bottom? Provincial SocialAssistance Provision in Canada", "Alberta: One-Party
"Dominance and Neo-Liberalism", & "Aroused like One from Sleep: From NewPoor Law to Contractual Workfare".
Abstract In this article, the writer notes how neo-liberal policy has its roots in nineteenth century conceptions about the unemployed - and how this mind-set has crept back into the provincial policy-making of modern-day Canada. While discussing the three articles, the writer suggests that the climate of entitlement which characterized the period from 1945 to at least the middle 1970s in much of the western world has given way to a neo-liberal ethic that actually hearkens back to an earlier time wherein obligations on the part of those who found themselves under-employed were considered at least as important as the rights those individuals had to secure shelter and some form of income. The writer concludes that social policy is cyclical, and that the articles appear to capture that trend.
From the Paper "Before bringing this paper to a close, a few final points are in order. Clearly, there can be little question that all of the articles touch upon the new-found popularity of neo-liberal policies in an age of globalization and in an age of governmental retreat brought about by the new fluidity of capital, people, information and resources - a fluidity which has dramatically curtailed the power of government to execute labor policy as it once did. Beyond that, it may be said that these articles craft a compelling picture of the ideological and political reasons why governmental actors did not strive harder, when it became clear that the easy affluence and low unemployment of the immediate post-War period was no longer guaranteed, to protect the entitlements and generous provisions to which many Canadians had become accustomed after 1945. Ultimately, economic pressures provided a welcome excuse for neo-conservative statesmen to pursue reformist measures that would have been unthinkable a generation earlier."
Abstract The history of governmental economic assistance to families in America is a relatively short one. From the colonial era through the nineteenth century, family and government were seen as two entirely separate entities and any economic assistance that a family might receive would have to come from private organizations. The paper shows that the Great Depression of 1929, however, forever changed the relationship between the family and the government. As part of the "New Deal", the federal government greatly expanded its role in providing economic assistance to those left behind by the labor market. The paper traces the history of economic assistance as a social policy until the present day.
From the Paper "The fact that a Democratic president signed the Republican-written PRWORA into law may seem odd when you consider the traditional terms of the liberal-conservative welfare debate. The PRWORA was quite different from the welfare reform proposals Clinton had proposed in 1992 but never pushed through Congress. While Clinton's plan would have put time limits on receiving benefits, his program would not have ended AFDC's status as an entitlement, and would have provided mothers who reached the end of the five-year payment limit with government service jobs (Cherlin, 183) - something the Republican-sponsored PRWORA in 1996 was not to include."
Abstract The paper discusses the historical background of the development of the welfare state and offers definitions of the terms Keynesianism and neo liberalism. The paper analyzes the shift from an earlier system to the Keynesian one and then to the neo liberal one and explains the interests involved in the process. Overall, it can be said that the welfare state and the neoliberal one are two distinctive theories which in today's world tend to be combined in a state which promotes free competition and liberal market principles but at the same time take more into consideration the idea of social protection and socialassistance, particularly because of the electoral significance of such measures.
Outline:
Historical background
Definitions
Effects of the End of the Fall of the Welfare State and the Emergence of the Neoliberal Mechanisms for the SocialAssistance System
From the Paper "The Second World War represented one of the most significant periods in the history of human kind because its effects were determinant for the following decades in terms of economic development, social behavior, as well as cultural changes. However, one of the most important aspects which are to be taken into consideration when discussing the effects of the World War is strongly related to the economic environment which followed it. In this sense, the economic practices and policies changed in order to cater for the needs of a global society recovering from a world conflagration which placed under pressure the entire economic system. In this context the various theories that tried to explain the evolution of the economies have managed to create different systems that would eventually set in motion the resources of the world."
Abstract This research study provides a critical review of the relevant peer-reviewed and scholarly literature concerning peer-assisted learning in general and how these programs have been used to help young readers in particular. The paper also presents a case study of the effectiveness of this initiative at an elementary school that provides services to at-risk 6th graders due to emotional, social or behavioral problems and 1st grade struggling readers. The paper explains that the product of the study will be a best practices guide to help educators at all levels identify which peer-assisted technique might be best suited for their individual needs, how to implement it, and how to monitor its effectiveness to ensure long-term success.
Table of Contents:
The Problem
Purpose of the Study
Importance of the Study
Review of Literature
Introduction
Background and Overview
Benefits of Mentoring
Table: Key Benefits of Mentoring in Peer Tutoring Settings
Implementation
Evaluation and Monitoring
Summary
Procedure
Development, Purpose and Approval of Project
Who did You Involve in the Developmental Process and Why?
Implementation
Evaluation
Table: First and Sixth-Grade Teacher Feedback Concerning Efficacy of Tall Buddies Reading Initiative
From the Paper "The benefits of mentoring are also well established. According to Barton-Arwood and her colleagues (2000), a wide range of benefits have been cited in the literature for differing professions, ages, and populations that have used mentoring; these benefits include: (a) development of emotional supports and friendships, (b) improved self-esteem and confidence for mentor and mentee, (c) an increased set of knowledge and skills (e.g., academic achievement), and (d) an improved social network. While methods and roles differ, the reported outcomes and benefits are similar across populations."
Tags: engagement, social component, tutor tutee instructions
Abstract This paper studies the particularly difficult social plight of children in Brazil. As the author explains, there are fifty five million children under the age of sixteen in the country, of whom as many as twelve million are homeless, living on the streets and/or working in child labor, including in extremely abusive situations. The paper provides a detailed assessment of the various problems (as shown in the below outline) and then discusses solutions to them, both governmental and non-governmental. The paper concludes with a number of case studies about non-profit organizations that have endeavored to change the situation for Brazil's children.
Introduction to Brazil
Introduction to Societal Problems Involving the Children of Brazil
Homelessness
Death Squads
Child Labor
Child Prostitution
Sexual Abuse from Working as Domestic Servants
Why the Children Work
Solutions
Solutions Regarding the Death Squad Killings
Governmental Assistance Law and Enforcement
Education Initiatives by the Government
Children Working and Attending School at the Same Time
Specific Targeted Programs
Assistance from Various Organizations
Happy Family
Amizade
Goat-to-School Program
Eliminating Child Labor in the Shoe Industry
Hope for the Future
From the Paper "Surprisingly, for its rather quiet history, and in spite of its rapid industrialization and economic growth, Brazil has some very serious social problems today. Cities are polluted and crime is rampant. The gap between the rich and poor continues to grow. The gap, in fact, is among the most substantial in the world (1999 Country Reports). As the United States Department of State noted, in 1995, the richest twenty percent of the Brazilian population received 63 percent of the nation's income, and the poorest fifty percent of the nation accounted for only twelve percent of the nation's income. The widening gap between rich and poor also may be seen in the availability (or lack thereof) of food, education, medical care, and services such as water supply, sewerage, electricity, and other basic needs required for daily living (1999 Country Reports)."
Abstract This paper examines the role of socialassistance programs in promoting human welfare. It identifies social welfare programs as an important, but threatened, element of the quality of life in developed countries such as Canada.
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that it is evident that history has forced most immigrants to the US to take on the responsibility of socialization individually, without support from social organizations. The writer further relates that, in the initial mass immigration that occurred during industrialization, this philosophy lead to the formation of cultural communities across the US that worked to support cultural members and the greater social order as well. The writer then points out that, as time has progressed, however, there have been millions of immigrants that have arrived in the nation, both legal and illegal, who have relied solely on these cultural communities for socialization. Ultimately this has created a separation between cultural communities and the larger social order because there has been a lack of organizational or institutional support for immigrants. The writer then asserts that it is therefore apparent that it is time for institutions and individuals to fulfill their social contract with society and assist immigrants in becoming socialized. The writer concludes that it is only through this dual effort that one society will function for the greater good, which includes fulfilling the needs of all cultural groups and prevents segregation of cultural groups from the greater social order.
From the Paper "For example, millions of illegal immigrants are demanding that they be given their citizenship because of their extended stays within the country. This demand is supported by numerous groups within the Hispanic culture that believe that crossing the border into the United States and functioning in society without incident should be sufficient grounds for citizenship. Yet, the opposing viewpoint to this argument suggests that by offering citizenship to this population, the country is degrading the efforts of other immigrants that have followed legal pathways to becoming citizens. Clearly, the latter argument supports the intentions of society to conduct immigration through legal processes, while the initial argument supports a cultural desire that strays from the legal structure of the nation. Additionally, it should be noted that the first argument serves to separate the needs of one group from the needs of the greater society, while the second argument insists upon a universal format for immigration.
"Therefore, demanding that immigrants should be responsible for their own socialization process in which they create their own resources and opportunities is possible. However, without the support of social organizations that essentially allow for a universal understanding of American life and the American culture, individuals rely on cultural communities that support only a particular culture's way of life and not the nation."
Abstract This paper presents an in-depth study of the emerging field of professional social workers and focuses on every important aspect of this career choice. The paper outlines the different fields of social work and discusses the educational and personal requirements of social workers.
Table of Contents
Duties and Responsbilities
Positive features
Educational Requirements
Personal Qualities
Various Employment Settings
Child and family Welfare
Child Protective Services
Health Care Social Workers
Occupational Social Workers
Licensure
Salary
Job Prospects
Code of Ethics
Social Workers as Entrepreneurs
References
From the Paper "Social work has recently been gaining tremendous attention as a career option because there apparently is a serious dearth of qualified social work practitioners in our country. Apart from this reason, another important factor, which has contributed towards the evolvement of social work as a profession, is connected with emerging branches of various fields, which require services of social workers. We need to understand that social work as a profession is not very old and therefore our conventional definition of this occupation may no longer be valid."
Abstract This paper examines how the relationship between being economically disadvantaged and poor education, physical and mental health, economic prospects ,and social well-being has been well-documented in social work theory and research literature. It looks at how the aim of social work is to achieve economic and social justice for all segments of society and how alleviating the ills of the economically disadvantaged population should be of prime concern to the field. It also discusses how the literature shows a need for a coordinated, multi-disciplinary social work perspective in resolving the issues faced by the economically disadvantaged population, including a more realistic anti-poverty policy and agenda in the area of economy and social structuring.
From the Paper "Sherman argues that like other wealthy nations, America needs to offer economically disadvantaged families with dependent children indirect assistance such as universal childcare, health care, and housing assistance, if it is to succeed in lifting more of its children out of poverty. He emphasizes the importance of adopting such measures by pointing out that poverty leads to children developing health problems, stunted growth, poor literary and academic abilities, and behavioral problems. But perhaps the most critical point Sherman makes is that American society has a future stake in ensuring that its children grow up to being productive citizens."
Abstract This paper attempts to determine whether modern-day social work students have different career objectives and goals than the early 20th century social workers. The paper explains that there are those who measure social work idealism and the other factors that influence BSW and MSW students. The paper examines this topic through a research study. which covered a broad range of ideals to determine levels of idealism and influential factors like altruism, professional concerns, and influence of others among modern social work students.
From the Paper "There is a need to understand why individuals who experience psychosocial trauma are compelled to apply their energies and life work to the field of social work. There are indications that these individuals are more likely to experience burnout in the course of their employment in this field than those who have not suffered psychosocial trauma in their development as those who have not experienced this psychosocial trauma do not have the extra "baggage" due to the experience. However, there are other schools of thought that hold the belief that those who have survived these psychosocial experiences in development have developed a certain resiliency and therefore may be better suited to handle this type of employment than previously thought."
Abstract Physician assisted suicide is a highly emotional and controversial issue. This paper discusses the difference between assisted suicide and euthanasia, looks at the pros and cons of assisted suicide, reviews existing Florida legislature and examines Dr. Jack Kevorkian's role in assisted suicide. The second half of the paper continues on a more humane note and discusses patients' right to self-determination, issues relating to sanctity of life, pain and suffering and comments on the doctor-patient relationship and potential areas of abuse.
From the Paper "Terminally ill patients know when the end is inevitable. They know when continued medical efforts are futile and many simply feel the cure that medical science is thrusting upon them is not worth the increased level of pain and discomfort they cause. When enough is truly enough, some patients will ask their physician to assist them in ending their life. Physician assisted suicide is a highly emotional and controversial issue that has significant ethical, religious and legal ramifications. This high-level paper will discuss physician assisted suicide, citing both pros and cons, examine Florida's legislature and look at the influence Dr. Jack Kevorkian played. The paper continues with a generalized discussion of patients' right to self-determination, issues relating to sanctity of life, pain and suffering and comments on the doctor-patient relationship and potential areas of abuse. While the number of pros and cons presented are equal the value that..."
Abstract The paper discusses how every country has certain forms through which the government meets its obligation towards the weaker segments of its society. The paper proposes that in United States, the support is through social security benefits. The writer further proposes that as the society progresses, the benefits for these sections also progress, but when they are removed, it is an indication that the society is unwilling to take up its responsibility.
From the Paper "It is clear that this is an identity card and distinguishes citizens from others. The cards are issued to children born in the country and this is what gives them the right of residence in the country. If the system is modified then how shall one distinguish citizens from others? The question is very important now since we are talking about the country being a target of terrorists and other foreigners with bad intent. Any change will involve changes in all cards that have been issued and changes are not such an easy task."
Abstract The moral issue of physician-assisted suicide is in the forefront of controversial issues being discussed amongst Oregonians today, according to this paper. Oregon's ballot measures 16 and 51 changed the law to legalize physician-assisted suicide - the first state to have such legal rights. This paper gives an inside perspective on the many opinions that the author from Oregon tries to portray.
From the Paper ""In November 1994, Oregonians voted on ballot measure 16, a measure which would legalize physician-assisted suicide. Under this measure, physicians would legally be able to write a prescription of lethal drugs to adults with a 6 months or less diagnosis of a terminal illness" (http://www.ortl.org/suicide/background.htm). Before this election in Oregon, pro-euthanasia groups had come together and campaigned unsuccessfully in California in 1992, and in Washington in 1991. Perhaps the reason these two states were unable to gain election was because the method of death was legal injection to be administered by the physician. ?Exit polls revealed the public's distrust of this method, thus causing the Right to Die campaign to "soften" the method to self-administered drugs. This tactic was better received by the public, and Measure 16 passed by a slim margin of 51% to 49%, making Oregon the first government in the world to legalize physician-assisted suicide? (http://www.org/suicide/background.htm). Thus, from the start of this election, it is easy to observe that not everyone in Oregon was or is excited about this new legalization. Such a small margin of wining was bound to give rise to controversy over the issue, and that's exactly what resulted."
Tags:assisted, care, ethics, health, laws, physician, suicide, Oregon, legal, government
Abstract This paper addresses the controversy over the effectiveness of public assistance programs, contending that in spite of the valid arguments against them, they do work but need improvement. It also mentions the development of public assistance programs.
From the Paper "President Lyndon B Johnson initiated the country's War on Poverty in his State of the Union address in which the statement "This administration today here and now declares unconditional war on poverty in America ..."
Tags: poverty, welfare, public assistance, Jewish welfare
