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  • Essay / The United States Welfare System - 1652

    The welfare system can be defined as "systems by which government agencies provide economic assistance, goods, and services to persons unable to care for themselves 'themselves' (Issitt). The United States welfare system is an extremely complex and unique entity that encompasses ideas and concepts from a multitude of different places. Many people believe that the current system is an excellent resource for the population, while others believe that the current welfare system requires reforms and budget cuts to become effective. The history of welfare systems dates back to ancient China and Rome, with some of the earliest known institutions implementing some form of welfare system. In both countries, their governments created projects to provide food and aid to poor, unemployed, or incapacitated families and individuals, but these were based on "moral responsibility." Later in history, in England in the 1500s, Parliament passed laws that held the monarchy responsible for assisting families in need by providing them with jobs and financial aid. These became known as the "poor laws" (Issitt). In the years immediately following America's independence from Great Britain, the United States established its own form of welfare system – a "government-sponsored form of indentured servitude, by which poor or unemployed people were sold at auction to employers who used them as workers. In addition to this program, the new United States also created a financial incentive for wealthy families who would sponsor a poorer individual or family (Issitt). In the 1800s, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Belgium, among others, began establishing "socialized insurance policies" and medical care, which are still in effect today, while at the same time moment, the United States was beginning to deepen...... middle of paper ...... Welfare programs create a sense of entitlement " Viewpoints: Well-being (2013): 3. Center Viewpoints Reference Web. January 5, 2014. Chittom, Lynn-Nore, Wagner, Geraldine. “Foster Children's Programs: An Overview” Viewpoints: Foster Children's Programs (2013): 1. . Viewpoints Reference Center. Web. January 5, 2014. Issitt, Micah, L. Flynn “Well-Being: An Overview: Social Well-Being” (2013): 1. Viewpoints Reference Center. . January 5, 2014. “Well-Being: Critical Analysis Guide.” Viewpoints: Well-Being (2013): 4. Viewpoint Reference Center, January 5, 2014. “Viewpoints on Well-Being.” be. Charts and Charts: Government Funding (2010): 1. Viewpoint Reference Center. Internet. January 5, 2014. Witherbee, Amy, Wagner, Geraldine. “Point: Welfare is the best way to end poverty.” Viewpoints: Well-being (2013): 2. Viewpoint Reference Center. Internet. January 5. 2014.