Chapter 1
The Field of Social Welfare Policy
Test Bank
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following is NOT a main perspective on the study of social welfare?
a. analytical
b. feminist
c. institutional
d. political
2. When did the U.S. government begin to help citizens maintain a minimal standard of
living?
a. the Civil War
b. the Roaring ‘20s
c. the Great Depression
d. World War II
3. Which of the following is a common fringe benefit?
a. paid pregnancy leave
b. pet care assistance
c. bi-monthly massages
d. on–site gym
4. An elderly woman dies, leaving her husband and three adult children. Of the
following options, which is most likely to care for the widower?
a. the eldest son
b. the youngest son
c. the middle daughter
d. a nursing home
5. How many U.S. children are estimated to live in some form of kinship care?
a.
1%
b.
2%
c.
3%
d.
5%
6. Which of the following best explains why grandparents often take on the
responsibility for full-time custody and care?
a. Grandparents are better at raising children than foster parents.
b. Grandparents have an easier time controlling their grandchildren.
c. Grandparents want to spoil their grandchildren with gifts and affection.
d. Grandparents help the children keep their family identity.
7. How do African American churches in poverty-stricken areas best help their
neighborhoods?
a. They offer many services at different times during the day.
b. They raise funds for socialization projects like food banks.
c. They hand out money to the homeless people on the streets.
d. They march in civil rights parades and other demonstrations.
8. At which of the following organizations would a college student most likely volunteer?
a. rape crisis phone line
b. emergency babysitting
c. shelter for battered mothers
d. anti-alcohol group
9. Which of the following represents the traditional vision of the American Dream?
a. community perspective
b. individualism
c. traditionalism
d. feminism
10. Which piece of legislation placed a “cap” on federal expenditures?
a. Social Security Act
b. Title XX
c. 1970 Grant Act
d. Title X
Short Answer Questions
1. Summarize why it is important for social workers to understand social welfare policy.
How can it help with day-to-day operations?
2. Identify the people who are typically the family caregivers. Why does this task fall to
them?
3. How can a mutual assistance arrangement act as a social service organization? Give
two examples.
4. Demonstrate how a family care scenario could become the source of a social
problem. Why is this likely to happen?
5. Compare and contrast studies of process and studies of performance.
6. The wage gap has caused women to need welfare significantly more often than men.
Determine the cause of this gap, and deduce how equal pay can help women need
less welfare.
Essay Questions
1. Even though many workplaces offer fringe benefits to workers, why do people still
struggle to pay for doctor visits? Examine the three different types of workers (pink
collar, blue collar, and white collar), and discuss what type of benefits each group
likely receives and why.
2. Examine and illustrate the differences between the individualist perspective and the
community perspective. Which planning perspective has the U.S. chosen to use in
planning for the future? Why did America choose this? Point out any shortcomings or
flaws, if any, that have resulted in this decision.
3. Out of the six fundamental societal institutions, which ones are more likely to be
accepted as welfare institutions by residualists? Categorize the more “traditional”
institutions and explain how each is either traditional or untraditional.
4. Examine and explain first- and second-wave feminism. In your opinion, which wave’s
ideals are better suited to understand and combat social injustices? Defend your
choice with two examples.