Much more than a historical look at America's social welfare system, this acclaimed book offers insights into our ambivalent social welfare policy and its impact on specific out-groups--African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, women, and others--that are often overlooked in other texts. In addition to comprehensive coverage of the historical development of the welfare system, author Bruce S. Jansson also analyzes its limits, strengths, and policies...how its evolution and structure compare with systems in other countries...and the effects of policy changes on the future of the social work profession. As they explore Jannson's highly respected text, your students will see how understanding historical events can be powerfully relevant to the study of current social welfare policy and the profession of social work. The book analyzes the evolution of the American welfare state from colonial times to present and places social policy in its political, cultural, and societal context. Using social policy as a catalyst, Jansson invites students to think critically about issues, developments, and policies in prior eras and in contemporary society. He encourages students to become social reformers and to develop their own policy identities.