The Elizabethan Poor Laws of 1601

Describe the Elizabethan Poor Laws of 1601 and how the laws affected the treatment of children.
Identify two ways the treatment of children has changed since the Elizabethan Poor Laws.
View the Hernandez Family video, located in the Learning Resources, and explain how the responsibility of the social worker to protect the rights of the child can be applied to this case.
Resources

racia, E., & Herrero, J. (2006). Perceived neighborhood social disorder and residents’ attitudes toward reporting child physical abuse Links to an external site.. Child Abuse & Neglect, 30(4), 357–365

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0145213406000512?via%3Dihub
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Sample Answer

Elizabethan Poor Laws of 1601

The Elizabethan Poor Laws of 1601 were a series of laws passed in England to establish a system of poor relief for the poor and needy. The laws included provisions for the care of children, who were often orphaned or abandoned as a result of poverty.

The Elizabethan Poor Laws divided the poor into three categories:

  • The deserving poor: These were people who were unable to work due to illness, disability, or old age.
  • The able-bodied poor: These were people who were able to work but were unable to find employment.
  • The vagrant poor: These were people who refused to work and begged for a living.

The Elizabethan Poor Laws required parishes to provide relief to the deserving poor. This relief could include food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Parishes could also provide work for the able-bodied poor. Vagrants were punished for their idleness and were often sent to workhouses.

Full Answer Section

Treatment of children under the Elizabethan Poor Laws

The treatment of children under the Elizabethan Poor Laws varied depending on their circumstances. Orphaned or abandoned children were often placed in apprenticeships. This was supposed to prevent them from being forced to work and their labor exploited. However, many apprentices were mistreated by their masters and were forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions.

Children of the able-bodied poor were often forced to work alongside their parents. Children as young as five years old were employed in factories, mines, and other dangerous industries. Children of the vagrant poor were often sent to workhouses, where they were separated from their parents and forced to work long hours for little or no pay.

Changes in the treatment of children since the Elizabethan Poor Laws

The treatment of children has changed significantly since the Elizabethan Poor Laws. Children are now protected by laws that prohibit child labor and ensure that children have access to education and healthcare.

Two ways the treatment of children has changed since the Elizabethan Poor Laws are:

  • Children are no longer forced to work. Child labor is now illegal in most countries. Children are required to attend school until they reach a certain age.
  • Children have access to education and healthcare. Children are now guaranteed the right to an education and to receive healthcare.

Hernandez Family video

The Hernandez Family video shows a family that is struggling with poverty and homelessness. The social worker in the video is trying to help the family find housing and other resources.

The responsibility of the social worker to protect the rights of the child can be applied to this case in several ways. First, the social worker must ensure that the children have a safe and stable place to live. Second, the social worker must ensure that the children have access to education and healthcare. Third, the social worker must protect the children from abuse and neglect.

In the Hernandez Family video, the social worker is working to help the family find housing. This is important because it will provide the children with a safe and stable place to live. The social worker is also working to connect the family with other resources, such as food stamps and Medicaid. This will help to ensure that the children have access to the food and healthcare they need.

Finally, the social worker is assessing the family’s situation for any signs of abuse or neglect. If the social worker finds evidence of abuse or neglect, they are required to report it to the appropriate authorities.

Conclusion

The Elizabethan Poor Laws were a significant step forward in the development of social welfare policy. However, the laws also had some negative consequences, such as the exploitation of children. The treatment of children has changed significantly since the Elizabethan Poor Laws. Children are now protected by laws that prohibit child labor and ensure that children have access to education and healthcare. Social workers have a responsibility to protect the rights of children and to ensure that they have a safe and healthy environment in which to grow and thrive.

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