Social Welfare - Seventh Edition, describes and analyzes the ideas that have shaped the history of social welfare--from the Colonial Period to the present day--by using original documents from each respective period through the current Bush Administration.

Coverage of economic developments, the impact of volunteerism, and the impact of privatization in the text helps students understand the context of social welfare movements and policies. New materials on trends in the justice system address the immigration debate and the issue of homosexuality and the law.  The text also includes new material on Medicare prescription drug legislation, welfare reform, Hurrican Katrina, and social security privatization.