Noncustodial fathers’ financial contributions to children in three-generation households

Abstract

• Custodial mothers in three-generation households are less likely to receive non-cash support. • There are significant differences by specific types of non-cash child support. • Differences in the receipt of non-cash support are driven by guest mothers. • There are no significant differences in the likelihood and amount of cash child support receipt. Co-residing with a grandparent and one or both parents, usually referred to as a three-generation household, is becoming more common for U.S. children, and it may be more common for children in single mother households. Despite this increase and the salience of child support for many of these households, little is known about how child support policies interact with complex households. Whether the presence of grandparents in the custodial mother’s household is associated with differential receipt of financial contributions from the noncustodial father is unknown. Using data from the March/April 2014 Current Population Survey (CPS)-Child Support Supplement (CSS), we examine the financial contributions (cash and non-cash) received by custodial mothers in three-generation households. We find no significant differences in the receipt of cash child support, but we do find significant differences in the likelihood of receiving any non-cash support. Implications for custodial mothers and their children as well as for family policies are discussed.