Social welfare

Defining Social Welfare

While the word welfare is often used in relation to an individual's state of dependence on government services. Social welfare, simply put, relates to the wellness of communities and the larger society. Members of communities gauge their wellness related to whether or not they have jobs, housing, safety, relationships, etc. Social welfare (community wellness) is a subjective term, as there are varying opinions about what constitutes a "well" society. Therefore, the term becomes a blank slate where individuals' ideology and value positions give definition and ultimately leave the term open for individual interpretation.