Bshs 302/ What Is Human Services

What is Human Services?

BSHS/302 Introduction To Human Services

What is Human Services?

The idea of Human Services, or assisting those less fortunate, dates far back into our history; in the Middle Ages England created a system known as Feudalism, which became their way of dealing with the poor. Martin (2011) explains it as an elite system that allowed wealthy landowners the ability to parcel off portions of their land, so that their serfs (peasants) would be able to farm and cultivate. The idea was that the wealthy, privileged individuals in order to help the many poor people of their time, would do their good deed to society and allow them to live on their land, farm it and in return the owners would care for and support them. Of course religion played a huge factor in this idea; it was perceived that the rich had a noble duty to help those that were poor; it was a form of goodwill or charity. Although this idea was later looked at as a legal form of slavery, at the time it was a way of dealing with those in need or the poor. (pg18)

As time progressed, England found itself of some major changes; the Industrial Revolution was a major turning point in their history. The need for factory workers in the city lead many people to move to accommodate it, feudalism began to slowly decline and the churches influence on people began to diminish as well, which gave England the need to restructure their social welfare system. Thus England created its first poor law and later their relief laws. All which dictated where, when and under what circumstances one could beg. It also established the idea that one could be categorized as a worthy poor, which had reason to beg or unworthy poor, which was considered an able bodied individual who chose to beg and was punished for doing so. Either way the labeling of those who were in a need was one that came with many negative ramifications. As time continues the poor are continually looked down upon by society. Then came...