Daily Almanac for
Oct 7, 2008
Search White Pages
Info search tips
Bio search tips

Encyclopedia

social welfare

social welfare or public charity,organized provision of educational, cultural, medical, and financial assistance to the needy. Modern social welfare measures may include any of the following: the care of destitute adults; the treatment of the mentally ill; the rehabilitation of criminals; the care of destitute, neglected, and delinquent children; the care and relief of the sick or handicapped; the care and relief of needy families; and supervisory, educational, and constructive activity, especially for the young.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

    • Cite
    • Print
    • Bookmark

More on social welfare from Infoplease:

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Sociology: General Terms and Concepts