Historical Development of the Social Welfare in the United States

In the United States and in developed countries all around the world, governments have
created welfare programs. Their admirable intention is to help the poor by providing a safety net
to help people “stand on their own feet.” Social welfare is a service provided by the government
or private organizations to help poor, ill or old people. In other words, it is a system that aims to
ensure the well being of a nation’s citizens.

 The early history

The beginning of the welfare system in the U.S. started long before the government
welfare programs we know were created. In its early history, the colonies imported the British
Poor Laws. These laws made a distinction between those who were unable to work due to their
age or physical health and those who were able-bodied but unemployed. The former group was
assisted with cash or alternative forms of help from the government. The latter group was given
public service employment in workhouses. Prior to the Great Depression, the U.S. Congress
supported various programs to assist the poor. Welfare history continued when they were
attempts to reform how the government dealt with the poor. Some changes tried to help the poor
move to work rather than continuing to need assistance.

 After the Great Depression

When the Great Depression hit, many families suffered. It was estimated that one-fourth
of the labor force was unemployed during the worst part of the depression. With many families
suffering financial difficulties, the government tried to solve the problem and that was where the
history of welfare really began.

Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Social Security Act was enacted in 1935.
With 20 percent unemloyment, President instituted federal reforms to help the poor, including
cash assistance and providing employment in a difficult time. Unfortunately, even President
Roosevelt realized that there was a limit to what the government could do. President certainly
said that welfare was not at that time an attractive way to try to live. However, from the 1940s to
the 1960s, poverty fell dramatically in the U.S.

Welfare history continued to be made in 1996 when President Bill Clinton signed the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. Under the act, the federal
government gives annual lump sums to the states to assist the poor. In turn the states must adhere
to certain criteria to ensure that those receiving aid are being encouraged to move from welfare
to work.

The historic welfare reforms in 1996 laid the foundations for the later welfare reforms in
the America. The number of families receiving cash welfare is now lower than it has been since
1969. The percentage of children on welfare is lower than it has been since 1966. These changes
could be explained by three pairs of traditional American values. The first is for Individual
Freedom and the price for that is Self-Reliance. We cannot be truly free if we cannot take care
of ourselves and be independent. The second is for Equality of Opportunity, and the price for
that is Competition. If everyone has an equal chance for success, then we have to compete. The
third is for The American Dream, the opportunity for a better life and a higher standard of living.
The price for the American Dream has traditionally been Hard Work.