Welfare
Welfare is a type of government support intended to ensure that members of a society can meet basic human needs such as food and shelter. Social security may either be directly provided by the government or funded by the government but provided by private sector businesses or voluntary organizations. In different countries welfare can take different forms, including direct cash payments, tax credits, or support services such as healthcare and childcare. Welfare systems differ from country to country, but they generally include a range of benefits and services to improve the wellbeing of individuals or families.
History[edit | edit source]
The concept of welfare dates back to the ancient civilizations of Rome and Greece, where governments provided assistance to the poor and needy. In the modern era, the welfare state was first introduced in Germany by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in the late 19th century. The idea was later adopted by other Western countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, in the 20th century.
Types of Welfare[edit | edit source]
There are several types of welfare systems, including:
- Social Insurance: This type of welfare is funded through contributions made by workers and employers. Examples include unemployment insurance and workers' compensation.
- Public Assistance: This type of welfare is funded through general tax revenues and is intended to help the poor. Examples include food stamps and housing assistance.
- Social Services: These are services provided by the government to improve the wellbeing of individuals or families. Examples include healthcare, education, and childcare.
Criticisms and Controversies[edit | edit source]
Welfare systems have been subject to various criticisms and controversies. Some argue that welfare creates dependency and discourages work, while others argue that it is necessary to provide a safety net for those in need. The effectiveness and efficiency of welfare systems are also often debated.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
| Welfare Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
