Social Welfare (Continued)

The term social welfare, then, refers to the
full range of organized activities of public and voluntary agencies that seek to prevent, alleviate, or contribute to solving a selected set of social problems. For some who view social welfare broadly—from the concept that a society pools its resources for the general welfare of all—social welfare encompasses public facilities such as
libraries, public parks, and hospitals. Others include social support to corporations, sometimes called “corporate welfare,” or the extensive investment that some countries such as the United States make to businesses in addition to investment in people with need. Still others view social welfare more narrowly, to consist of programs that address issues such as poverty and child
maltreatment. The length and breadth of the list of social problems typically depend on the values perspective of the person compiling the list, the historical time in which the list is developed, and the perceived economic resources available to
meet the social welfare problems listed. As you read on, consider how individual and professional values shape one’s views about what constitutes social welfare.