American Social Work and World War II

Abstract

portant respects from those most widely available during the depression years which immediately preceded the war. For example, during the 1930's the virtually all-consuming issue before American social workers was how to provide millions of men, women, and children with the food, shelter, clothing, and medical care necessary to their bare subsistence. Today this is nowhere near the all-absorbing problem it once was. Unprecedented industrial activity and attendant increase in the national income have resulted in the sharp curtailment of relief programs. However, although retrenchments were in order along the relief front, three factors--(1) new needs arising from the war, (2) new public attitudes toward old needs long unmet, and (3) the release for other services of personnel and resources previously absorbed in the fight against destitution-made it possible for social agencies to modify their programs.