Historical Development of Social Welfare and Social Work

Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work History

Overview of Historical Evolution

• The lesson focuses on the historical evolution of social welfare and social work, emphasizing its knowledge and philosophical foundations.

• The discussion will cover significant historical events from Europe, the US, and the Philippines.

Early Influences on Social Welfare

• Social welfare in Europe began with religious groups taking responsibility for disadvantaged individuals.

• Priests provided aid to less fortunate church members through almsgiving, highlighting the religious motivation behind early social welfare efforts.

Religious Foundations of Social Welfare

Global Perspectives

• Various ancient civilizations like Hinduism, Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Jewish teachings contributed to early concepts of caring for the disadvantaged.

Economic Contributions

• In India, a practice called "Sakat" involved donating a percentage of income to temples for distribution among the poor.

Impact of Historical Events on Social Welfare

Bubonic Plague's Influence

• The bubonic plague in the 1300s forced governments in Europe to assist their populations due to labor shortages caused by high mortality rates.

Statute of Laborers (1348)

• King Edward III enacted this statute requiring able-bodied poor individuals to accept any employment offered or face punishment such as mutilation.

Key Figures in Early Social Welfare

St. Francis de Assisi

• Known for collecting alms and distributing them to those in need; he played a significant role in promoting charitable acts within communities.

Martin Luther's Reforms

• In 1520, Luther advocated against begging and proposed creating a common fund for donations instead of relying solely on almsgiving.

Juan Luis de Vives' Contributions

Innovative Approaches

• Vives developed programs for poor relief by dividing cities into parish quarters and investigating social conditions before providing assistance.

Elizabethan Poor Law (1601)

Codification of Responsibilities

• Queen Elizabeth I's law established community responsibilities towards the poor while categorizing them into three groups: able-bodied poor, impotent poor, and dependent children.

Government Role

• This law marked an important shift where families and immediate communities were held responsible for supporting their needy members rather than solely relying on government intervention.

Challenges Faced by Elizabethan Poor Law

Administrative Issues

• Despite its intentions, the law faced administrative loopholes leading to corruption rather than effectively addressing poverty needs.

Continued Need for Charity

• As government efforts fell short due to corruption issues, charitable organizations stepped up their roles in providing necessary relief services.

Establishment of Workhouse System (1697)

New Initiatives

• A workhouse system was introduced in Bridgesall aimed at assisting impoverished individuals through structured support mechanisms.

Historical Context of Social Welfare Systems

The Gilbert Act and Its Impact

• The Gilbert Act was initiated in 1782 in England to assist those exploited within workhouses.

• It aimed to address issues of excessive work hours and heavy labor that were unsuitable for individuals, providing necessary protections.

• The Spemhamland System was established to assess poverty levels effectively.

Defining Poverty

• A poverty line was created based on the number of dependents and wage size, determining who qualifies for government assistance.

• This system allowed the government to identify and support those deemed poor.

Reforms in the 1800s

• In the 1800s, reforms were made to the Elizabethan Poor Law, incorporating detailed investigations into poverty status.

• These changes stemmed from insights gained through the Spemhamland System, ensuring accurate identification of impoverished individuals.

Evolution of Relief Systems

Transition from Charity-Based Support

• By 1853, relief systems shifted away from charity-based models towards taxation-funded support mechanisms.

• Voluntary groups became involved alongside social investigators who lived among the poor to verify their claims.

Role of Social Investigators

• Social investigators were hired from local communities to ascertain genuine poverty status under the Spemhamland System.

• Funding for relief systems transitioned primarily from taxation sources.

Contributions of Key Figures

Father Vincent de Paul’s Reforms

• Father Vincent de Paul reformed Catholic Church charity practices, dedicating his life to aiding prisoners and their families.

• He organized "Daughters of Charity," a group focused on nursing sick and impoverished individuals.

Legacy of Father Luis de Marillac

• Alongside Vincent de Paul in Daughters of Charity, Luis de Marillac was later venerated as a saint by various churches.

• He is recognized as a patron saint within the social work profession.

Public Responsibility Towards Poverty

Henry VIII's Recognition

• In 1531, King Henry VIII began acknowledging public responsibility towards assisting the poor.

Registration Requirements for Paupers

• The Statute of 1536 mandated that paupers register with parishes after residing there for three years before receiving aid.

Philosophical Foundations in Relief Efforts

Reverend Thomas Calmers’ Approach

• Reverend Thomas Calmers organized private charity programs based on neighborly aid principles.

• He emphasized careful case studies before providing assistance, laying groundwork for modern casework practices.

Development of Social Welfare in America

Influence from Europe

• European colonizers brought customs regarding beggars viewed as criminals into America during the 17th century.

• Paupers were often stigmatized as morally deficient individuals subjected to public shaming practices like wearing identifying letters.

Adaptation of Elizabethan Poor Laws

• American colonies adapted Elizabethan Poor Laws with added residence qualifications affecting eligibility for aid.

Establishment of Organized Charitable Efforts

Formation of Charity Organization Society (COS)

• In 1877, COS was formed in Buffalo, New York to streamline charitable efforts and prevent duplication or wasteful spending among philanthropists.

• COS required social investigations prior to granting assistance; early volunteers known as "friendly visitors" conducted these assessments.

Mary Richmond’s Contributions

• Mary Richmond founded a training school for applied philanthropy leading to formalized social work structures by writing "Social Diagnosis."

Social Welfare and Historical Context in the Philippines

Overview of Social Diagnosis

• The concept of social diagnosis is introduced, emphasizing its importance in understanding community needs as established by Mary H.

Settlement Houses Movement

• Settlement houses were founded by Jane Adams and Ellen Bates-Tar to support working people through services like counseling and daycare.

• These centers, known as settlement houses, emerged around 1889 in the U.S. to assist working families with childcare.

Community Chest Development

• The Community Chest was established in 1913 to collect private donations for distribution among social agencies.

• This organization aimed to prevent corruption by organizing contributions from the community for social welfare efforts.

Historical Context of Social Welfare in the Philippines

• A shift towards examining social welfare practices within the Philippines is noted, referencing an "orange book" for historical context.

• The history is divided into periods, summarizing key developments without exhaustive detail.

Prehistoric Filipino Social Welfare

• Early Filipinos lived near rivers and coastal plains, organized into barangays led by dato (chief).

• Mutual protection was a core aspect of their social welfare system focused on economic survival rather than mental health or poverty issues.

Impact of Spanish Colonization

• Spanish colonization brought significant changes over 333 years, leading to health problems and economic dislocation.

• Encomenderos provided assistance to the poor based on a philosophy that helping others would lead to personal salvation.

Establishment of Hospitals During Spanish Rule

• The first hospital in the Philippines was established in 1565 under Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi's leadership.

• San Lázaro Hospital was founded in 1578 specifically for leprosy patients, highlighting early public health initiatives.

Evolution of Health Services

• Additional hospitals such as San Gabriel Hospital (1612), focused on providing care for impoverished individuals during this period.

Asylums and Orphanages Development

• Various institutions like La Casa Real were created during Spanish rule to care for orphans and mentally ill individuals.

• Asilo de San Vicente de Paul was established in 1882 for girls' education and training within a religious framework.

This structured summary captures key insights from the transcript while maintaining clarity and coherence throughout. Each bullet point links directly back to specific timestamps for easy reference.

Establishment of American Government and Social Welfare in the Philippines

Insular Board and Early Welfare Initiatives

• The Insular Board was established to oversee various welfare initiatives in the Philippines during American governance.

• Its primary role included supervising social services aimed at assisting the impoverished population, akin to earlier charitable organizations.

• The establishment of these boards marked a significant shift towards organized social welfare efforts by Americans in the Philippines.

Development of Charitable Organizations

• The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) was founded in 1908 as part of these welfare initiatives under American rule.

• In 1915, the Public Welfare Board was created through legislative action to further support social welfare programs.

• Associated Charities were formed with both American and Filipino involvement, functioning similarly to a community chest for collecting donations.

Child Welfare Programs

• The Lagota de Leche was established in 1907, providing fresh cow milk to child welfare institutions as a form of intervention for malnourished children.

• By this time, various agencies were already operational, focusing on improving child health and nutrition.

Legislative Developments

• In 1921, the Office of the Public Welfare Commission was established within the Department of Interior to address rising healthcare issues linked to high infant mortality rates.

• Legislative Act No. 3203 was passed in 1924 to protect neglected and delinquent children by providing probation officers for their rehabilitation.

Expansion of Social Services

• A significant welfare bill passed in 1926 led to a dedicated compound for orphans and needy children located in Mandaluyong.

• Governor General Mark Murphy initiated scholarship grants for aspiring social workers aiming for education abroad during this period.

Post-War Developments

• After World War II, the Bureau of Public Welfare reopened; by 1947 it evolved into a Social Welfare Commission under the Office of the President.

Social Welfare Development in the Philippines

Establishment of Social Welfare Commission

• The Social Welfare Commission was established in 1947 under the Office of the President to address public assistance and welfare activities post-Japanese occupation.

• It aimed to coordinate and supervise all welfare activities, particularly focusing on those affected by war.

Feudalistic Tenancy Issues

• The feudalistic tenancy system created significant social issues during President Elpidio Quirino's administration, leading to unrest among workers and landowners.

• This unrest contributed to the rise of rebel groups like Hukbalahap, threatening government stability.

Presidential Action Committee on Social Amelioration (PAKSA)

• In August 1948, President Quirino established PAKSA to assist impoverished individuals and families needing government support.

• PAKSA focused on providing aid for food, housing, and other essential needs for vulnerable populations.

Formation of Philippine Association of Social Workers

• The Philippine Association of Social Workers (PASW) was organized on November 12, 1947, and registered with the government in April 1948.

• PASW played a crucial role in advocating for women's rights within social work professions during the 1950s.

Advocacy for Women's Inclusion in Community Development

• In the 1950s, PASW protested against restrictions that limited community development roles to men only; this led to women being allowed to take government exams for these positions.

• The Civil Service Commission eventually lifted the ban on women taking examinations for community development roles due to advocacy efforts from PASW.

United Nations Children's Emergency Fund Initiatives

• A gathering by the United Nations led to establishing a Children's Emergency Fund aimed at providing basic services such as feeding programs and health education for mothers and children.

Merging of Welfare Agencies

• On January 3, 1951, there was a merger between social welfare administration agencies including SWA (Social Welfare Administration) and PAKSA for better service delivery.

Establishment of Educational Institutions

• The Philippine Women's University launched its School of Social Work offering degrees like Master of Arts in Social Administration under director Josep Para Martinez's leadership.

Regulation of Social Work Profession

• Maria Cala Katigbak sponsored RA 4373 which regulated social work practice in the Philippines; it mandated educational requirements before one could become a licensed social worker.

Requirements for Becoming a Licensed Social Worker

• To qualify as a registered social worker under RA 4373, individuals must complete a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work along with practical field experience totaling at least 1,000 hours supervised by an experienced professional.

Evolution into Department Status

• In 1968, RA 5416 elevated SWA into a full department known as the Department of Social Welfare while also increasing requirements for board examiners overseeing licensure exams in social work fields.(2975)

This structured overview captures key developments within Philippine social welfare history based on provided timestamps while ensuring clarity and accessibility through markdown formatting.

Overview of Social Welfare Development in the Philippines

Historical Context and Rehabilitation Programs

• The establishment of rehabilitation programs for juvenile offenders marked a significant development in social welfare during President Marcos's administration.

• Various social welfare bureaus were operational at that time, including the Bureau of Family Welfare and Bureau of Youth Welfare, under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Evolution of Social Work Education

• In 1969, the PASWIN group transitioned to the Schools of Social Work Association of the Philippines to enhance social work education.

• By 1990, this organization was rebranded as the National Association for Social Work Education Incorporated (NASWI), emphasizing standardized educational programs.

Regulatory Framework for Social Work Programs

• Schools offering social work programs must be registered with NASWI to ensure quality and alignment with educational standards.

• Membership in NASWI is also required for social work instructors to validate their qualifications as educators.

Changes in Departmental Structure

• The Department of Social Services was renamed from its original title as part of ongoing reforms; it became known as the Department of Social Services and Development in 1976.

• A new program initiated in 1977 focused on Special Employment Assistance and Practical Skills Development, which included various community services like daycare centers.

Decentralization and Local Government Involvement

• The barangay approach was introduced to decentralize services previously managed centrally by bringing them directly to local communities.

• Increased participation from local government units (LGUs) began emerging, indicating a shift towards more localized management of social welfare services.

Legislative Developments Impacting DSWD

• Following Martial Law, Executive Order 123 transformed MSSD into DSWD under President Aquino’s administration.

• The Local Government Code (RA 7160), passed in the 1990s, mandated that many DSWD programs be transferred to LGUs.

Recent Developments: Mandanas Garcia Ruling

• The Mandanas Garcia ruling led by Governors Mandanas and Garcia resulted in a Supreme Court decision increasing internal revenue allotment for LGUs by 28%.

• This ruling emphasized full devolution of services back to LGUs, aligning with RA 7160 mandates regarding financial assistance and other welfare services.

This structured overview captures key developments within Philippine social welfare history while providing timestamps for easy reference.