Watch the following video Part 1:
Describe with detail the Settlement House movement. Fully summarize who Jane Addams was and fully outline and describe her work. List her key interventions. What was her philosophy of change? Was it the person or the environment? Explain your answer with detail.
Describe in detail the Charity Organization Societies. Watch the following video: Who was Mary Richmond? What specific contributions did she provide for Social Work and the COS? What was the philosophy of change for the COS? Was it the environment or the individual? Fully explain your answer.
Watch the video explaining the history of social security: , watch this video entitled and review the page ”
Explain why Social Security was created.
Describe Social Security and how it works.
List the specific main programs under it and briefly explain them.
Identify how a person earns social security and who is eligible.
Not everyone receives it, why? Explain this.
How significant is it for social workers to know the guidelines for this program for clients?
Define public assistance programs from the textbook.
List these programs identified in the textbook and give a brief description of each.
Identify what the guidelines are to be eligible for each one (you will need to research the current rates).
How do these programs help overall with the cycle of poverty?
How can a Social Worker benefit clients by knowing the details of these programs?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Evolution of Social Work: Settlement House Movement, Charity Organization Societies, and Social Security
Introduction
Social work is a profession deeply rooted in addressing societal inequalities and improving the lives of individuals through various interventions. This essay explores key historical movements, namely the Settlement House Movement and Charity Organization Societies (COS), as well as the establishment of Social Security. By examining the contributions of influential figures like Jane Addams and Mary Richmond, we can better understand the evolution of social work and the crucial role it plays in society.
The Settlement House Movement
Overview
The Settlement House Movement emerged in the late 19th century as a response to urban poverty in America. Its primary goal was to provide social services and education to immigrant communities living in impoverished neighborhoods. The movement was characterized by the establishment of settlement houses, which served as community centers offering various programs aimed at social reform.
Jane Addams
Jane Addams, one of the most prominent figures in the Settlement House Movement, co-founded Hull House in Chicago in 1889. She was a social reformer, pacifist, and advocate for women’s suffrage, known for her innovative approach to social work that combined direct aid and community engagement.
Key Interventions
1. Community Education: Hull House offered classes in English language, arts, and vocational training.
2. Cultural Programs: The house provided cultural activities like theatre performances and art exhibits designed to bridge cultural divides.
3. Health Services: Addams emphasized public health by providing medical care and advocating for sanitation improvements.
4. Child Welfare: Hull House operated a nursery school and playgrounds to nurture children’s development.
5. Labor Advocacy: She fought for labor rights, emphasizing fair wages and working conditions.
Philosophy of Change
Addams believed that social change could be achieved through environmental modifications rather than individual transformation alone. She argued that by improving living conditions and providing opportunities for education and engagement, individuals would be empowered to change their circumstances.
Charity Organization Societies (COS)
Overview
Founded in the late 19th century, Charity Organization Societies emerged as a response to the perceived inefficiencies of direct charity. These organizations aimed to provide systematic assistance to the poor by applying principles of charity management and family casework.
Mary Richmond
Mary Richmond was instrumental in shaping the COS and is often regarded as the mother of social work. In her role as a leader in the COS movement, she developed methods that formalized casework strategies.
Specific Contributions
1. Casework Methodology: Richmond introduced the concept of casework, focusing on understanding clients’ backgrounds to address their needs effectively.
2. Social Diagnosis: She published “Social Diagnosis,” which outlined a systematic approach to assessing individuals’ situations.
3. Advocacy for Professionalism: Richmond emphasized the need for trained professionals in social work, advocating for education and ethical standards in practice.
Philosophy of Change
Richmond’s philosophy leaned more toward individual change rather than environmental factors. She believed that addressing personal issues, such as psychological and social factors affecting behavior, was paramount to fostering significant change.
The Creation of Social Security
Purpose of Social Security
Social Security was created during the Great Depression as part of the Social Security Act of 1935. Its primary purpose was to provide financial assistance and support to elderly citizens, disabled individuals, and families with dependent children as a safety net against poverty.
How Social Security Works
Social Security operates on a pay-as-you-go system where current workers pay into the system through payroll taxes. These funds are then used to provide benefits to current beneficiaries.
Main Programs Under Social Security
1. Old-Age Insurance (OAI): Provides retirement benefits to eligible workers.
2. Disability Insurance (DI): Offers financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to disabilities.
3. Survivors Insurance: Provides benefits to family members of deceased workers.
4. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Offers financial assistance to aged, blind, or disabled individuals with limited income.
Eligibility for Social Security
Individuals earn Social Security credits by working and paying payroll taxes. Generally, workers need 40 credits (equivalent to about ten years of work) to qualify for retirement benefits. However, not everyone receives benefits due to factors such as insufficient work history or non-compliance with tax contributions.
Importance for Social Workers
It is crucial for social workers to understand Social Security guidelines to effectively assist clients in navigating these benefits, ensuring they receive necessary support during times of need.
Public Assistance Programs
Definition and Overview
Public assistance programs are government-funded initiatives designed to provide financial aid and services to individuals and families in need. They aim to alleviate poverty and promote economic stability.
Key Public Assistance Programs
1. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Provides cash assistance and support services to low-income families.
2. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Offers food assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families.
3. Medicaid: A health care program for low-income individuals providing access to medical services.
4. Housing Assistance: Programs like Section 8 offer rental assistance to low-income families.
Eligibility Guidelines
Eligibility for public assistance programs varies based on income, household size, and other factors. For example:
– TANF typically requires families to meet specific income thresholds.
– SNAP eligibility depends on household income compared to federal poverty guidelines.
– Medicaid eligibility is based on income levels and state-specific criteria.
Impact on Poverty Cycles
These programs play a pivotal role in breaking the cycle of poverty by providing essential resources that help individuals gain stability, improve health outcomes, and foster economic independence.
Benefits for Social Workers
By understanding public assistance programs in detail, social workers can better advocate for their clients, facilitate access to resources, and empower individuals towards self-sufficiency.
Conclusion
The historical movements and programs discussed illustrate the evolution of social work as an essential profession focused on addressing societal inequalities. From Jane Addams’s emphasis on environmental change through community engagement to Mary Richmond’s focus on individual casework, each has contributed significantly to the development of social work practices today. Furthermore, understanding systems like Social Security and public assistance programs equips social workers with the knowledge required to support their clients effectively, ultimately contributing to improved community health and well-being.
