Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation
Introduction
Each country has certain groups that encounter barriers that prevent them from taking part in their country’s political, economic, and social life. They are left out through legal systems, land, and labor markets. They are also excluded through beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions. The exclusion is often based on their gender, occupation, race, location, age, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, and disability. Social exclusion can rob a person of security, dignity, and the opportunity to lead a better life. Poverty is another barrier to the less fortunate groups that hinder them from receiving economic opportunities (World Health Organization, 2020). This paper focuses on the policies put in place to deal with social exclusion and poverty in Sweden and the USA, which include measures and programs to be used in alleviating poverty and instill social inclusion and their outcomes.
Comparison of the policies dealing with problems of poverty and exclusion in Sweden and USA
There are many policies put up in Sweden to fight against poverty and social exclusion. They include pension policy that works towards filling the gap of poverty. Sweden chipped in to strengthen capital-funded occupations and private pension schemes and to increase the retirement age. The education policy focuses on the provision of education to all children. The social inclusion policy promotes gender equality and job opportunities for the youths. It gives them equal chances in obtaining employment opportunities. The system further protects the immigrants, whereby they are not discriminated against but allowed a better life (Stiftung, 2019).
On the other hand, the USA has its policies that include; The anti-poverty policy that is put in place to assist individuals living in poverty, particularly the minority groups and families in the core of big and middle-sized cities. There is a federal public housing policy that involves funding the construction of rentals for low-income families. Education policy, moreover, focusses on including disabled children and youth in education systems since they are the most excluded in society (Bronheim, Magrab, & Crowel, 2019). Both Sweden and the USA are working towards alleviating poverty and social inclusion with different approaches but the same goal.
Targeted and universal measures
Both Sweden and the USA have targeted and universal measures of controlling poverty and social exclusion. Targeted efforts are put up to help a specific group, whereas universal standards benefit the entire nation. For example, education is a universal measure whereby all the children are given or entitled to schooling. Therefore, the excluded and poor children both have equal chances of education. On the other hand, anti-poverty policy policies only focus on the targeted population, which is the poor (Mkandawire, 2018). Hence, both countries find a balance in universal and targeted measures to ensure that the whole nation is benefiting.
Measures of alleviating poverty and social exclusion
There are many measures put up in fighting poverty and social exclusion. Social protection strategy involves enhancing individuals’ capabilities to manage economic and social risks such as unemployment and exclusion. It creates a platform whereby the persons affected by poverty or exclusion are entirely involved in solving their problems. It also ensures that they have access to essential health care, basic income security for the elderly, persons in active age who cannot earn enough income, and children, good nutrition, care, and education. Creating public awareness is another strategy whereby individuals are educated on improving their economic and social lives (Estivill, 2020).
Outcomes
With the strategies and policies above, poverty alleviation and social inclusion are noted. Many individuals are turning into finding ways to improve their lives. Even though it has not been eliminated, poverty levels are dropping gradually with continuous advocacy. Social exclusion, on the other hand, is reducing. With public awareness, minority groups are less discriminated in many countries and communities.
Conclusion
In summary, social exclusion and poverty create difficulties for individuals to lead normal lives. Upon following all the policies put up and the many strategies the governments and different organizations are coming up with, eradicating social exclusion and poverty can be achieved. Moreover, individuals being educated on the ways to fight against poverty and creating equal chances for both the well up, poor, the minority groups and majority groups will speed the process of reducing poverty and discrimination.
References
Bronheim, S., Magrab, P., & Crowel, R. (2019). Social Exclusion in the United States: Policy Implications for Community Solutions. Retrieved from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development: https://www.oecd.org/unitedstates/1855950.pdf
Estivill, J. (2020). Concepts and Strategies for Combating Social Exclusion. Retrieved from International Labour Office: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/socsec/step/download/96p1.pdf
Mkandawire, T. (2018, December). Targeting and Universalism in Poverty Reduction. Retrieved from United Nations Research Institute for Social Development: http://www.foresightfordevelopment.org/sobipro/download-file/46-555/54
Stiftung, B. (2019). Social Policies. Retrieved from Sustainable Governance Indicators: https://www.sgi-network.org/2019/Sweden/Social_Policies
World Health Organization. (2020). Social exclusion. Retrieved from World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/social_determinants/themes/socialexclusion/en/