Social Welfare

The concept of “social welfare” existed in some form since the early days of humankind. In reading about the evolution of early societies, one may suggest that social welfare is as intrinsically a value as the preservation of life itself, although, it may have always placed secondary to the appeal of dominion. Observe the gradual shift in the political structure from communal living to eventual stratified economies. While nomadic tribes settled into fixed states driven by agriculture and domestication, the responsibility for the common man also appears to decline. Land settlement led to the social invention of “private property” and ownership became to the new societal construct. Coincidentally around this time, early man demystified childbirth in recognizing the relationship between sex and pregnancy thus giving birth to gender oppression. As Day explained, “Women’s creative functions ceased to be thought magical, and women lost sacred status and became dependent on the
Some of the principles and perspective continue to influence modern day living. Although also evolved, Judaic, Greek, and Christian virtues of social justice, human need, democracy, and philanthropy continue to prevail today. Clearly there are distinct partnerships between religion and privately-based social service institutions. Christianity is a preeminent ideological force, particularly in western and United States culture, that influences the decisions and attitudes of private and public citizens and impacts governmental policy just other religions continue to shape social practice abroad. The interwoven relationship between social welfare, religion, polity, and economy at fails to support the human condition as long as power and control are available for pursuit for social welfare can become the pawns to achieve such