by Brad Forenza, MSW, PhD
Frank Catania Sr
Frank Catania, Sr.
With Election Day behind us, I am reminded of a divinity student I once knew. Over lunch, I kept probing him about his thoughts on God, the afterlife, and related topics. (I’m a believer, but wanted him to really convince me—over a single lunch.)
“You realize that those of us who study this stuff are more skeptical than anyone,” he eventually blurted.
I offer this to say that I genuinely believe that the majority of elected officials, regardless of party affiliation, are (a) well-intended, (b) better able to appreciate opposing perspectives than the media give them credit for, and (c) more skeptical of their own ideology than we are of our own.
However we are feeling about the current political moment, I challenge us to always look at social issues from “opposing” perspectives. Doing so is part of cultivating empathy, and it keeps us connected to the deeper humanity among us. When we fail to listen to opposing perspectives, whatever they may be, we do ourselves and democracy a disservice. Because social policies are inherently interventionist, they tend to compel the government to spend more on its institutionalized programs and services. Consequently, they receive primary (but not exclusive) support from liberals.
In this month’s podcast interview with Assemblyman Frank Catania, Sr., a moderate Republican, consider the assemblyman’s thoughts on family and its historic role in responding to human need. Consider the moments in which you might agree with him, rather than the moments of discord.
Listen to the interview here:
Conservative Approaches to Social Policy
Brad Forenza, MSW, PhD, is an associate professor at Montclair State University and a recognized scholar of social policy. His research foci pertain to youth development, primary prevention, and civic engagement. His academic career is accentuated by direct social work practice at youth and family development agencies, program evaluation for clients in the human services, and public policy analysis at the state and federal levels. He regularly publishes and presents his work in national and international forums. His original, public scholarship also extends to the organization of practice-oriented events and panels, the production of documentary film and a social welfare podcast, and the authorship of practitioner interviews and many policy speeches.