Answers 1 pargraph in length.
Discussion 1
o Discuss the differences between social insurance and public assistance programs. Be specific. Give examples.
o How does our social security system differ from some of the social insurance and public assistance programs developed in other countries (Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, France, England, etc.)? Choose a specific country for comparison with U.S. Discuss.
Discussion 2
Define poverty. Why is it so difficult to define poverty? What were some of the policy changes that came about as a result of the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act?
Discussion 3
Is health care a social justice issue? Why or why not? Should the U.S. adopt a national health care policy? Discuss. How does the US Health Care system compare to those of other countries (or one other country)? What would a fair and equitable health care system look like?
Reminder: Be sure to cite your sources, I'm looking for more than strictly opinion here. Your answer should reflect that you have read the assigned chapter of the text book.
Discussion 4
Discuss the tensions and controversies surrounding involuntary commitment of the mentally ill. What solutions/recommendations can you suggest? What are some of the social costs associated with poor mental health? Who should be responsible to pay for the costs of mental health care?
Discussion 5
U.S. public policy reflects four approaches to defining disability.
a) List them and offer a brief definition for each.
b) Which of these models is/are reflected in the definition used for determining eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits? Provide a brief explanation for your response.
c) What makes defining a disability so complicated/controversial?
Discussion 6
o Define the terms oppression and discrimination. Discuss differences between the two terms.
o How have American social welfare policies been used both as mechanisms for oppression and discrimination? How can social policy be used to advance social and economic justice? Be specific/give examples. Discuss.
Discussion 7
o Discuss problems or issues in providing services to abused and neglected children. Discuss current attempts and possible solutions to address these issues. Justify your answer with a brief argument.
o Identify and discuss what you believe to be the most important policy issue facing children today. Why do you think this policy issue is so important?
Discussion 8
Google and read the "Declaration of the Rights of the Child". Do you agree or disagree with these rights? Which of these rights, if any, should children have? How can "we" ensure that the needs and "rights" of children are met regardless of parental willingness or ability to provide?
Discussion 9
Choose and respond to one of the following two sets of questions:
o Discuss the Older Americans Act. What are some of the provisions of the OAA and the tensions surrounding OAA programs? Discuss.
o Identify and discuss (a minimum of 5 sentences) what you believe to be the most important policy issue facing the elderly today. What would be a fair/just policy for dealing with this issue?
Discussion 10
Go to U.S. Department of Labor website http://www.dol.gov. Review the current unemployment rate and any other reports or statistics that are of interest to you. Report and discuss some of your findings and impressions. You might, for example, choose to report and discuss your findings on youth unemployment.
Go to go to http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html and read the overview of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Do any of the articles arouse strong sentiment? Identify and discuss some of the articles which are not consistent with U.S. law. Should the U.S. adopt and endorse the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Why has the U.S. not fully adopted and endorse this document? Discuss.