History of clinical social work indicates that
◦ The English Poor Laws were based on the assumption that the poor are poor because of their ignorance and their willful refusal to work
◦ The Association for Improving the Conditions of the Poor (AICP) used a punitive approach towards helping poor individuals.
◦ Charity Organizations societies investigated all applicants for criminal records.
◦ The "family visitors" concluded that all poor people were similar and needed to be treated in the same manner