Explain how the Elizabethan Poor Laws have influenced U.S. social welfare policy in the past and present, and explain how the settlers were both victims and perpetrators of this. What were the explicit and implicit purposes of these laws? Use the NASW Code of Ethics and a relevant statement from Social Work Speaks text to challenge the premises of the Poor
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Google "Elizabethan Poor Laws" and read carefully.
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1. Influence of the Elizabethan Poor Laws on U.S. social welfare policy:
The Elizabethan Poor Laws were enacted in 16th-century England and had a significant impact on the early development of social welfare policies in the United States. These laws primarily aimed to address poverty, vagrancy, and the relief of those in need. When settlers arrived in America, they brought with them the societal norms and legal systems that were prevalent in England, including the Poor Laws.
The Poor Laws established a system of providing relief to the poor, which influenced the development of similar systems in the American colonies. For instance, the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed laws in the mid-17th century that provided public support for the poor, using the English Poor Laws as a model.
2. Settlers as victims and perpetrators:
It is important to recognize that the early settlers themselves were both victims and perpetrators of the Poor Laws, albeit in different ways. Many settlers who migrated to the American colonies were seeking to escape harsh socioeconomic conditions in England. They themselves experienced poverty and inequality, which compelled them to seek a better life in the New World.
However, once the settlers established colonies, they also became the enforcers of the Poor Laws. They implemented similar systems of poor relief, but the conditions and practices varied from colony to colony. The settlers, therefore, both suffered from the existing poor laws while also adopting and applying them in their new settlements.
3. Explicit and implicit purposes of the Poor Laws:
The explicit purpose of the Poor Laws was to provide relief and support to the poor and needy. They aimed to ensure that basic needs were met, such as food, shelter, and medical care. However, the Poor Laws also had implicit purposes, such as societal control and the preservation of the existing social order. By providing relief to the poor, the laws aimed to maintain social stability and prevent social unrest.
4. NASW Code of Ethics and Social Work Speaks text:
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics sets forth principles and guidelines for social workers, including a commitment to promoting social justice and addressing poverty and inequality. The Code emphasizes the importance of respecting the inherent worth and dignity of individuals, valuing the importance of human relationships, and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.
Social Work Speaks is a publication that reflects the official positions of the NASW on various social policy issues. It provides a comprehensive overview of the NASW's stance on social welfare policies, poverty, and social justice.
By using the NASW Code of Ethics and Social Work Speaks, you can challenge the premises of the Poor Laws and advocate for more inclusive, equitable, and comprehensive social welfare policies that prioritize the needs of all individuals, especially vulnerable populations.
When discussing the influence of the Elizabethan Poor Laws on U.S. social welfare policy, it is essential to analyze historical context and understand the complexities of both the intentions and consequences of these laws. By considering the perspectives offered by the NASW Code of Ethics and related publications, you can critically examine how social welfare policies can be continually improved to address poverty and promote a just society.