Shaffie, Fuziah (2006) British colonial policy on social welfare in Malaya : child welfare services 1946-1957. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to illustrate the extent to which colonial welfare ideas and
practices shaped social welfare in Malaysia, with particular reference to child welfare
services. In particular, the study explores the scope in which social welfare services was
established and developed by the colonial government, the degree of the colonial
government's intervention in child welfare services, and the guidelines used by the
colonial officials to resolve child welfare issues during the period of 1946-1957.
Midgley's Social Welfare Models considers the role of diffusion of colonial
welfare ideas and practices, and the residual conception in the approach to welfare
within the context of colonialism.
The study has employed archival materials on British colonial administration in
Malaya kept in the UK National Archive and the Malaysian National Archive to
illuminate Midgley's Social Welfare Model. Interviews with Malaysian ex-welfare
officers who had personal experience of working at the Department of Social Work
(OSW) during the British colonial period were also carried out.
The study indicates that, as a contribution to historical and sociological
knowledge, children welfare services in Malaya were first organized for immigrant
labourers to ensure a regular and reliable supply of healthy workforce. This denotes that
the focus of the colonial government was on the exploitation of Malaya's economy, and
social welfare issues were peripheral. This standpoint taken by the British colonial
government has indeed conformed to the abovementioned welfare model.
The study has also revealed that during the period of 1946-1957, the British
made efforts to provide welfare for the people of Malaya with the establishment of
DSW in 1946. However, the DSW faced complexity of handling welfare issues, such as
children welfare, within a multiethnic society because of the different cultures, values
and beliefs that existed. The study also suggests that the needs of Europeans and key
workers were the prime concerns of the colonial government for their commercial
interests. The study has shown that ideas on welfare from the host country were
instituted, although, on some occasions, the government made attempts to adapt these
ideas to suit the local circumstances.
The study concludes that Malayan welfare policy enacted by the British colonial
officials followed British welfare ideas and accepted the role of voluntary bodies in the
provision of welfare to children. Thus, the government took a residual approach to
welfare in which welfare services were provided for the needy and the government
played a minimalist role in welfare provision. Although the colonial government
contributed to the development of child welfare services in Malaya during the period of
1946-1957, the implementation of the services did. not follow any specific welfare
model and no definite child welfare policy was particularly drawn up for Malaya.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Child welfare -- Malaya -- History -- 20th century, Malaya -- Politics and government -- 20th century, Great Britain -- Colonies -- Administration
Official Date:	October 2006
Dates:	Date Event October 2006 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	School of Health and Social Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Withnall, A. ; White, Vicky, 1959- ; Steedman, Carolyn
Sponsors:	Malaysia. Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam ; University Utara Malaysia
Extent:	xvii, 364 leaves
Language:	eng
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/4113

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