- Maria Cancian and Daniel R. Meyer
- Special Issue 2017
- Focus-33-3g
- Link to foc333g (PDF)
- Link to foc333sup (PDF)
The United States has a variety of programs and policies that address the needs of low-income families with children. However, current policy specifically targeted to singleparent families primarily operates through the child support system. While this system generally works well for middle and upper-income families when married parents divorce, it does not adequately address the needs of lower-income families, particularly when the parents were not married. Nonpayment, partial payment, and irregular payment of child support are common, leaving far too many children with inadequate financial resources; further, a primary focus on enforcing financial support from noncustodial parents may in fact discourage parental responsibility.
Categories
Child Poverty, Child Support, Children, Economic Support, Family & Partnering, Family Structure, Financial Security, Multiple-Partner Fertility, Parenting, Social Insurance Programs
Tags
Custodial Parents, National, Noncustodial Parents/NCP, Single Parent