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Chapter 3: U.S. Poverty and the Implications for Social Work
1. What is the amount defined by the federal government as the minimal income level at which a
family or individual can meet their basic needs?
a. $667 per month
b. poverty line
c. thrifty level of poverty
d. $22,8100 per year
B (page 51)
1. The methodology of establishing the poverty line is based on the assumption that:
a. African Americans have less money than whites
b. the Gross National Product is linked to the inflation rate
c. poverty relates to the state in which the welfare recipient resides
d. one-third of one's taxable income is spent on food
D (page 51)
2. When an individual’s income is less than the amount needed to obtain the minimal necessities for
living, this is known as:
a. absolute poverty
b. relative poverty
c. poverty level
d. income poverty
A (page 51)
3. The term “working poor” refers to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
those families that are in poverty for multiple generations
individuals that sell illegal goods on the street
unpaid volunteers
those who are typically employed, but poverty occurs when the job is only part-time, or does
not compensate the employee enough to move above the poverty line, resulting in the
individual being marginally poor
D (page 56)
4.
In its literal interpretation, the word "welfare" means:
a. the collective well-being of a community or a society
b. good health, prosperity, and social respect
c. principles, procedures, and courses of action established in statute, administrative code, and
agency regulation that affect people's well being
d. a subset of social policies that determine the distribution of resources
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B (page 58)
5. Which is the BEST definition of "social welfare"?
a. the collective well-being of a community or a society
b. good health, prosperity, and social respect
c. our country’s system of programs, benefits, and services that support those in need of financial,
social, and health care support
d. a subset of social policies that determine the distribution of resources
C (page 58)
6. Which is the BEST definition of "social policy"?
a.
b.
c.
d.
the collective well-being of a community or a society
good health, prosperity, and social respect
a subset of social policies that determine the distribution of resources
principles, procedures, and courses of action established in statute, administrative code, and
agency regulation that affect people's well being
D (page 58)
7. Which is the BEST definition of "social welfare policy"?
a. the collective well-being of a community or a society
b. good health, prosperity, and social respect
c. principles, procedures, and courses of action established in statute, administrative code, and
agency regulation that affect people's well being
d. a subset of social policies that determine the distribution of resources
D (page 58)
8. The American social welfare system is based on:
a. an English model
b. utilitarianism
c. universalism
d. a Canadian model
A (page 59)
9. Which represents a piece of federal legislation that was part of Roosevelt's New Deal?
a. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
b. The Servicemen's Readjustment Act
c. American Disabilities Act
d. Social Security Administration
D (page 60)
10. In the early 2000s, George W. Bush returned the country to an era of decreased public funding for
social welfare programs by:
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a. abolishing all welfare programs
b. pushing nonprofit and faith-based organizations to carry the burden for societal needs
c. requiring individuals to pay for their own services
d. none of the above
B (page 63)
11. Provide a simple definition of poverty.
Having inadequate financial resources. (pages 50-51)
12. Describe two stereotypes of poverty.
Non-white, unemployed, single mother, live off welfare, homeless, live in bad neighborhood, lazy,
unmotivated (pages 51-52)
13. Identify and explain in detail one cause of poverty as argued by the Berg-Weger text.
Individual responsibility = lack of motivation, poor life choices
Societal structures = lack of employment opportunities, lack of child care, lack of affordable
housing, discrimination (pages 54-56)
14. Describe social welfare history during the 20th century. Discuss shifts, trends, and major highlights.
Early 20th century public programs created to combat results of previous economic depression.
Many initiated at state level. Groups such as orphaned children and older adults became
marginalized. Shift towards providing services in homes versus institutionalization.
New Deal, under FDR, created a number of public welfare programs. Social Security Act 1935,
most famous initiative, which was ultimately the only program not appealed in later years.
Welfare programs established in 1940s were primarily aimed at veterans. The 1950s experienced
moderate growth in social welfare programs, with Social Security Act expansions for low income
children and disabled. Other programs developed were for urban housing and education.
The 1960s were a boom time with new programs stemming from President Johnson’s war on
poverty. Welfare cases increased despite these efforts. Few programs introduced in 1970s, rather
adjustments made to existing programs, such as Title XX of Social Security Act, Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) introduced to provide public financial assistance for low-income persons.
Reagan-Bush administrations of the 1980s and the early 1990s focused on decreased resources for
public welfare. The 1990s brought renewed focus on public responsibility for social needs. Later
conservative backlash in Congress brought major welfare reform.
(pages 59-63)