The book A New History of Social Welfare largely offers a guide to America’s social welfare systems. Social welfare is the state of well-being of all the citizens and in the case where citizens cannot fend for themselves, charities, the government, and even Non-governmental organizations step in to offer a helping hand. Social welfare is neither a new term or a modern practice as way back in the Roman empire those who could not provide for themselves monthly were offered grain. In this book, however, Day manages to trace the evolution of American social welfare from the early African origins. This essay will give a Succinct account of the main issues from the text’s first chapter.
The first chapter deals with values in social welfare. The value of service is one of the many key values in social welfare. While giving service to other people, values affect how the service gets delivered to people and it is what elevates service above self-interest (Day, & Schiele, 2009). The value of service is what will make people be able to bear with those that do not have and to be able to put other people's interests ahead of their own. Social workers who have the value of service will, therefore, most likely make goals that might not necessarily benefit themselves or their professional careers but benefit the society at large.
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In addition to this, the value of social justice is another key value in social welfare. Just like the word justice suggests fairness, equality and equal opportunities for all, the value of social justice embraces this. In valuing social justice, it is said that social workers tend to value more those people that are marginalized in the community (Day, & Schiele, 2009). People who are poverty-stricken, facing discrimination and any other form of harassment tend to be helped when such a value is at play. Valuing social justice also implies that people work together to attain empowerment for the less fortunate in the society for them to be able to overcome their situations and achieve self-independence.
Another key important point from the reading of the book A New History of Social Welfare is the value which is placed on the dignity and worth of individuals (Day, & Schiele, 2009). This entails accepting all peoples regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity religion or cultural and social background. People are treated respectfully with the utmost respect and there is no aspect of indifference. In upholding this value, it is acknowledged that there might be some differences among people or areas where people might not agree with, but as social workers, they address such issues amicably.
Finally, there is the value of human relationships which is recognized as a means whereby people are able to communicate with one another and reach an understanding. Communication is key and without it then there can be no cooperation. In valuing human relationships, however, people are able to relate with another well and respectably, Furthermore, relationships between clients and practitioners will enhance the well-being of families (Day, & Schiele, 2009). When human relationships are valued and respected, it goes without saying that there will be a high level of integrity as there will be no room for incompetence.
Conclusion
Social welfare is important as it greatly fosters cohesiveness. It has several key values such as the value of human relationships, the value of service, the value of social justice and the value placed on human dignity all of which contribute to the state of well-being of others particularly those that are less fortunate in the society. The author writes about these values in the hope that more people may embrace them and work towards a better cohesive community or state.
Reference
Day, P., & Schiele, J. (2009). A new history of social welfare (1st ed.). Boston: Pearson.
