Elizabethan Poor Laws

The Elizabethan Poor Laws were a series of laws passed in England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries that established a system of public welfare for the poor. The laws classified the poor into two categories: the “worthy poor,” who were the elderly, sick, and disabled, and the “unworthy poor,” who were the able-bodied unemployed and vagrants. The worthy poor were entitled to receive assistance from their local parish, while the unworthy poor were forced to work in workhouses.

Influence on Current Social Welfare Policies

The Elizabethan Poor Laws had a profound influence on the development of social welfare policies in England and the United States. Many of the principles of the Poor Laws, such as the use of taxation to fund social welfare programs and the distinction between the worthy and unworthy poor, can still be seen in current social welfare policies.

One of the most significant influences of the Poor Laws is the concept of using taxation to fund social welfare programs. This concept is now widely accepted in both England and the United States. For example, both countries have social welfare programs such as Social Security and Medicare that are funded through payroll taxes.

Another important influence of the Poor Laws is the distinction between the worthy and unworthy poor. This distinction is still reflected in many current social welfare programs. For example, many programs are designed to provide assistance to the working poor and the disabled, while other programs are designed to provide assistance to the unemployed and homeless.

Economic Considerations

Economic considerations play a major role in the development and implementation of social welfare policies. Governments must balance the need to provide assistance to the poor with the need to maintain a stable economy. This can be a difficult balancing act, and often leads to disagreements about the scope and adequacy of social welfare programs.

Those who support generous social welfare programs argue that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that all citizens have a basic standard of living. They argue that investing in social welfare programs can benefit the economy by reducing poverty and crime, and by increasing productivity.

Those who oppose generous social welfare programs argue that they are too expensive and that they discourage people from working. They argue that the government should not be involved in providing assistance to the poor, and that this responsibility should be left to the private sector.

Challenging the Premises of the Poor Laws

The NASW Code of Ethics is a set of ethical principles that guides the practice of social work. The code is based on the values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

The following NASW Code of Ethics principles challenge the premises of the Poor Laws:

• Service: Social workers should promote the general welfare of society and the well-being of individuals and families.
• Social Justice: Social workers should challenge social injustice and promote social justice.
• Dignity and Worth of the Person: Social workers should treat each person with dignity and respect.
• Importance of Human Relationships: Social workers should recognize the importance of human relationships and promote the well-being of families and communities.
• Integrity: Social workers should act in a manner consistent with the profession’s values, principles, and standards.
• Competence: Social workers should strive to maintain competence in the practice of social work.

The Elizabethan Poor Laws were based on the premise that the poor are to blame for their own poverty. This premise is challenged by the NASW Code of Ethics, which recognizes that poverty is often caused by factors beyond an individual’s control, such as discrimination, lack of access to education and employment opportunities, and mental or physical illness.

The NASW Code of Ethics also challenges the distinction between the worthy and unworthy poor. The code states that all people are worthy of dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances.

2. From the movie Joe the King…

Family Assessment

Biological Factors

• Joe: Joe is a 12-year-old boy. He is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. People with ASD may have difficulty with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.
• Sarah: Sarah is Joe’s mother. She is diagnosed with depression. Depression is a mental health disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities. People with depression may also experience changes in sleep, appetite, and energy levels.
• Frank: Frank is Joe’s father. He is a recovering alcoholic. Alcoholism is a chronic disease that is characterized by an addiction to alcohol. People with alcoholism may experience cravings for alcohol, difficulty controlling their drinking, and negative consequences