Other societies had their own systems, involving roles such as those of the traditional healer (' witch doctor').

As there was no effective bureaucracy below city government that was capable of large-scale charitable activities, the clergy carried out this role in Europe until the Early Modern Period. This charity came in the form of direct relief (for example, giving money, food, or other material goods to alleviate a particular need), as opposed to trying to change the root causes of social ills. Monasteries also often served as comprehensive social-service agencies, acting as hospitals, homes for the aged, orphanages, travelers' aid stations.ĭuring the Middle Ages, the Christian church had vast influence on European society and Christians regarded charity as a responsibility and a sign of one's piety. īy 580 AD the church had a system for circulating consumables to the poor: associated with each parish was a diaconium or office of the deacon. These were often funded, at least in part, from grants from the Empire. When the Roman Emperor Constantine I endorsed Christianity in the 4th century, the newly legitimised church set up or expanded burial societies, poorhouses, homes for the aged, shelter for the homeless, hospitals, and orphanages in the Roman Empire. Pre-modern antecedents īefore the rise of modern states, the Christian church provided social services in (for example) the Mediterranean world. The concept of charity goes back to ancient times, and the practice of providing for the poor has roots in all major world religions. Social work is intricately linked with the idea of charity work but must be understood in broader terms.

Social work has its roots in the attempts of society at large to deal with the problem of poverty and inequality. ( September 2018) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United Kingdom and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject.

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