Similarities and differences do you see between the Reagan era policies and the Charity Organization Societies

The recurrent push under President Reagan for distinguishing between the worthy and the unworthy and for the voluntary and private sector to take on more responsibility for social welfare seems to reflect a turn back to the 1800s and the Charity Organization Societies.

Do you agree or disagree with this ideology? What similarities and differences do you see between the Reagan era policies and the Charity Organization Societies? Do you agree or disagree with their claims of worthiness, based on NASW's Policy Statement on Economic Justice? Explain why.

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  • Government welfare programs create dependency. Proponents of this view argue that government welfare programs make people less likely to work and more likely to rely on government assistance. They also argue that these programs trap people in poverty by discouraging them from taking risks and working their way out of poverty.

  • Traditional morality teaches that we should help those in need, but only if they are truly deserving. Proponents of this view argue that we have a moral obligation to help those who are genuinely struggling, but that we should not reward laziness or irresponsibility. They also argue that we should focus on helping people become self-sufficient rather than simply providing them with handouts.

Arguments against Reagan-era policies and the Charity Organization Societies

  • The voluntary and private sector cannot meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of society. Critics of Reagan-era policies and the Charity Organization Societies argue that the voluntary and private sector simply cannot provide the level of assistance that is needed to help the most vulnerable members of society, such as the homeless, the mentally ill, and the chronically unemployed. They also argue that private organizations are often discriminatory and may not provide assistance to those who need it most.

  • Government welfare programs provide a safety net that prevents people from falling into poverty. Critics of Reagan-era policies and the Charity Organization Societies argue that government welfare programs provide a safety net that prevents people from falling into poverty. They also argue that these programs can help people get back on their feet after a setback, such as a job loss or a major illness.

  • Judging who is "worthy" and who is not is morally fraught. Critics of Reagan-era policies and the Charity Organization Societies argue that it is morally fraught to judge who is "worthy" and who is not of assistance. They argue that everyone deserves a chance to improve their lives, regardless of their past mistakes or circumstances.

Similarities and differences between Reagan-era policies and the Charity Organization Societies

There are both similarities and differences between Reagan-era policies and the Charity Organization Societies. Both sets of policies emphasize the role of the voluntary and private sector in providing social welfare. Both sets of policies also focus on distinguishing between the "worthy" and the "unworthy" poor.

However, there are also some key differences between the two. Reagan-era policies were characterized by a significant reduction in government spending on social welfare programs. The Charity Organization Societies, on the other hand, were not opposed to government involvement in social welfare. They simply believed that the voluntary and private sector should play a more primary role.

Do you agree or disagree with their claims of worthiness, based on NASW's Policy Statement on Economic Justice?

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics states that social workers have a "responsibility to challenge all forms of oppression and discrimination, including ... poverty." The NASW also has a Policy Statement on Economic Justice, which states that "all people have the right to a decent standard of living."

Based on these principles, it is clear that the NASW does not agree with the Reagan-era policies or the Charity Organization Societies' claims of worthiness. The NASW believes that everyone deserves a chance to improve their lives, regardless of their past mistakes or circumstances.

Conclusion

The ideology of distinguishing between the worthy and the unworthy and relying on the voluntary and private sector to provide social welfare is a complex one. There are strong arguments to be made on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they agree with this ideology.

Sample Answer

   

The ideology of distinguishing between the worthy and the unworthy and relying on the voluntary and private sector to provide social welfare has been a contentious one throughout history. There are strong arguments to be made on both sides of the issue.

Arguments in favor of Reagan-era policies and the Charity Organization Societies

  • Voluntary giving is more efficient and effective than government spending. Proponents of this view argue that individuals and private organizations are more motivated to help those in need than government bureaucrats. They also argue that private organizations are more accountable to their donors than government agencies are to taxpayers.