Child Support System Research Articles

Establishing Parenting Time in Child Support Cases: New Opportunities and Challenges

Despite dramatic increases in collections, child support frequently fails to be the linchpin to family self‐sufficiency that it could be, and many researchers, advocates and policymakers have concluded that future progress in collections will require making the child support system more fair and responsive to its growing poor, never‐married caseload. High on the list of suggested reforms is paying more attention to involving poor fathers in the lives of their children. Since the inception of the child support program in 1975, parenting time and child support have been legally distinct issues and activities pertaining to parenting time have not qualified for the 66 percent of funding that the federal government provides to fund the child support program. As a result, few child support programs address parenting time when they establish or enforce child support orders. Public Law 113–183 (2014) includes a provision to encourage the establishment of safe parenting time arrangements in new child support orders, although the activity is voluntary and no new funding is provided. This article describes the treatment of parenting time in the child support program and the approaches that some states and local jurisdictions have adopted to develop and incorporate parenting time responsibilities with family violence safeguards in new child support orders. This includes the use of standard parenting time schedules, self‐help resources, mediation or facilitation with a neutral third party, and comprehensive programs that attempt to address multiple barriers. Key Points for the Family Court Community Parenting time and child support are legally distinct issues and courts typically order child support for parents of children born out‐of‐wedlock without simultaneously ordering parenting time arrangements. Research shows that addressing parenting time improves parent‐child contact and child support payments and that positive paternal engagement improves child outcomes. A few state and local child support agencies address parenting time using standard parenting time schedules, self‐help resources for parents, mediation or facilitation with a neutral third‐party; and comprehensive programs that address multiple barriers. Developing a safe, structured approach to parenting time for the child support population will require coordination among courts, domestic violence programs and child support agencies, and allowing these activities to qualify for federal matching funds.

Addressing Child Support in Fatherhood Programs: Perspectives of Fathers and Service Providers

This qualitative study explores the views that low‐income fathers and fatherhood service providers have of the child support system and how these perceptions shape the provision of and men's engagement in fatherhood services. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with 36 fathers, and telephone interviews with 19 fatherhood service providers. Four themes emerged about perceptions of the child support system: imposing unrealistic financial demands, criminalizing low‐income men, discounting paternal viewpoints, and evidencing responsible parenting. A further four themes were concerned with the relationship between the child support system and fatherhood programs: hindering wider service utilization, encouraging engagement, educating and advocating, and reframing child support. Overall the findings suggest that though child support obligations can place a substantial financial and psychological burden on low‐income men, fatherhood programs have a valuable role to play in supporting noncustodial fathers in paying child support as one part of their wider paternal role.

FARMING FAMILIES AS FOSTER FAMILIES: THE FINDINGS OF AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON CARE FARMING IN SWITZERLAND

The terms “care farming” and “social agriculture” are used to describe the foster care that farming families provide to children, adolescents, and adults. Whereas some European countries have national systems that provide support for care farming, little is known about care farmers in Switzerland. Best estimates show that at least one percent of all agricultural family operations provide care services in Switzerland; accordingly, care farming is a component of Swiss foster care. Against the background of the recent revision of the Child and Adult Protection Act [ Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzgesetz ] and of legal provisions in relation to foster care, a qualitative system analysis was carried out in three cantons in 2013. The aim of the system analysis was to describe the context and importance of care farming and to identify the attitudes and working methods of both child and adult protection authorities and family placement organizations in relation to placements in agriculture. As part of the study, documents were analyzed and expert interviews were held with representatives of both groups. The interviewed representatives of the placement authorities regard placements in agriculture as a viable option, in particular for adolescents, if the match between the client and foster family is suitable. According to the surveyed family placement organizations, the interest among farming families in offering foster places is considerable. The study presents care farming as one care service within a complex support system for children and adolescents, and raises new questions for investigation by more detailed research projects.

“You Just Have to Look at It as a Gift”: Low-Income Single Mothers’ Experiences of the Child Support System

The current child support system emphasizes making parents pay first before the state provides economic assistance. Despite research suggesting that child support can financially benefit low-income households, many custodial mothers do not pursue child support orders. In this study, the author uses in-depth interviews with 25 low-income single mothers to better understand (1) why some women do not file for child support and (2) for those who do enter into this system, what are their experiences in navigating the child support process, including interacting with the fathers of their children as well as with the state.

Does Stricter Child Support Enforcement Create More Criminal Dads? A Study of the Effect of Child Support Enforcement Policy on Crimes

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) was enacted under Clinton administration to strengthen the child support system and promote parental responsibility through tougher enforcement and paternity establishment. Low-income fathers are particularly hard hit by the enforcement. This paper uses state-level data to analyze the effect of tougher child support enforcement and paternity establishment on crime rates. I find a strong, positive effect between the child support order rate and the introduction of income withholding for child support on crime. But an increase in the paternity establishment rate will lower crime rate.

Selective hearing: The gendered construction and reception of Inquiry evidence

In this paper we present a case study of the gendering of evidence in family policy reform. We examine the characterisation of data as legitimate or illegitimate in a recent Australian Inquiry into child support and custody issues. Using critical discourse analysis, we examine how Inquiry committee members interpreted personal anecdotes and social scientific data presented by witnesses. Data were characterised as legitimate when confirming an existing stock story of fathers’ disadvantage in an unfair child support system; these data were treated as evidence of a widespread social problem. Data that challenged the stock story were rejected as offering an inappropriate basis for policy reform. We conclude that in these reforms, the type of data, be it social scientific or anecdotal, was not as important as its alignment with a priori understandings of the nature of the world and the policy problems to be solved.

Child Support in Immigrant Families

In this study, we use nationally representative data from the U.S. Current Population Survey-Child Support Supplement (N = 28,047) to examine differences in nonresident fathers’ material contributions between children of native and foreign-born mothers. We focus on contributions provided through the formal child support system (whether the mother has a child support agreement and the amount received), as well as support provided informally (the amount of informal cash and whether she receives any in-kind support). We control for a variety of individual and household characteristics, including whether the nonresident father lives in a different state or in a different country. We find that foreign-born mothers are much less likely to have a child support agreement than native-born mothers, but have similar amounts of formal support, once an agreement is in place. Compared to native-born mothers, foreign-born mothers are also much less likely to receive in-kind support, but this difference is completely explained by fathers’ distance from the child. Foreign-born mothers do not differ at all on the amount of informal cash support received from fathers. Nonresident fathers’ residence outside the U.S. is an important mechanism through which nativity affects the likelihood of having a child support order and receiving any in-kind support, but not the amount of formal support (given an order) or the amount of informal cash support. Aggregate comparisons mask important differences within the foreign-born group by mothers’ and children’s citizenship status, years in the U.S., and region of origin.

Institutions and Policy Change: The Development of the Child Support Grant in South Africa

Despite the attempt to transform the system of state child support in South Africa shortly after the transition to democracy, the initial changes resulting in the implementation of the Child Support Grant were only partial in nature. This paper explains why institutional stickiness in the shape of failed reform efforts occurred in certain areas, while radical change took place in others. This effort involves the sequential integration of insights from the historical and rational choice variants of neoinstitutionalism. The resulting analysis accounts for the formation of distinct reform preferences, the strategic interactions which shaped eventual outcomes, as well as the ultimate incompleteness of policy transformation in a process of institutional layering. The paper therefore represents a practical attempt at overcoming the divisions between these neoinstitutionalist approaches, while also producing an analysis of a policy arena that is undertheorised.

The Obligations of High-Income Parents

The Child Support Guidelines, incentivized by federal law, provide rebuttable guidance for setting child support awards, except in low- and high-income cases. This article focuses on the latter, as states continue to grapple with the question of whether the child should receive a proportion of the noncustodial parent’s income regardless of its amount, or whether there should be another limit. This article traces the narrative of child support obligations in high-income cases by considering the development of the economic aspect to the parent-child relationship, as well as the purpose and nature of the child support system. The resulting insights are especially useful for states seeking consistency in child support award decisions.

Nonresident Fathers and Child Food Insecurity: Evidence from Longitudinal Data

More than 1 in 10 children in the United States experience food insecurity, and children in single-mother families are at greatest risk. We examine the associations of nonresident father involvement and child food insecurity using two nationally representative panel data sets of children in early and middle childhood. Nonresident father involvement, based on a comprehensive index, is associated with lower food insecurity in both early and middle childhood, and this is robust to different model specifications. Fathers’ provision of in-kind support is a particularly salient indicator of involvement for both groups of children. We find some evidence that irregular cash support, compared to no support, increases food insecurity for children in middle childhood. These results add to mounting evidence that nonresident father involvement outside of the formal child support system positively affects children and must be considered in policy discussions related to child support, child poverty, and child well-being.

Post-Institutional Integration Challenges Faced by Children who were Raised in Children’s Homes in Zimbabwe: The Case of ‘Ex-Girl’ Programme for One Children’s Home in Harare, Zimbabwe

This is an investigation of post-institutional integration challenges faced by former inmates from institutions in Zimbabwe basing on Ex-girl group members of one institution for children in Harare. The study aimed at exploring challenges faced by girl children discharged from one institution. The research focused on three objectives namely an assessment of empowerment goals of institutions for girls in preparation for life after institutionalisation, to identify problems encountered by girls when they leave institutions and establish community support systems for the girl children as they leave the institutions. The research was exploratory and descriptive in nature and used qualitative research approach. Ten girls out of one hundred girls were targeted for the study. Focus group discussions, interviews and observations were used for the study. The research revealed that institutional care is so a regimented and depersonalised environment in which children have no opportunity to experience a normal family life and could not acquire the basic skills of developing ubuntu/hunhu (humanness). As a consequence, they fail to acquire culturally specific life skills and the capacity for independent thought and motivation which is necessary in their lives. The findings indicated that children discharged from institutional care endure chronic abuse and emotional deprivation which gives rise to a lasting inability to form loving and trusting relationships at time resulting in marriage break ups. One of the research recommendations were made thereof.

Development of a Rabbit Animal Model for Miniaturized Heart–Lung Machines

The utilization of a heart-lung machine (HLM) for the correction of congenital heart defects can lead to various complications, which can culminate in multiorgan failure and death. To reduce the considerable risk of complications, we developed a miniaturized, highly integrated HLM (MiniHLM) for use in infants and children. For the purpose of testing the MiniHLM, we developed a new rabbit animal model. In all, surgery was performed on 32 rabbits. In the first series, 13 New Zealand white rabbits were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for 1 hour with the use of an initial version of the MiniHLM. In the second series, we operated on 19 Chinchilla Bastard rabbits using the further developed MiniHLM 02 or the Dideco Kids D100 system. While several adjustments had to be made to the operating protocol in the first series in order to lower the mortality rate, 15 of the 19 rabbits were successfully weaned from the HLM in the second series. Blood tests pertaining to hemolysis and the expression of inflammation were performed. In addition, tissue samples were taken from the right atrial auricle for the purpose of investigating the expression of inflammatory parameters. The newly developed MiniHLM prototype was tested successfully in an animal model in terms of technical function, hemolysis, and the expression of inflammation. On account of the comparability of their blood values, as well as their anatomy, Chinchilla Bastard rabbits serve as excellent models for the testing of CPB and support systems for infants and children that do not require the administration of foreign blood.

The parenting role of African-American fathers in the context of urban poverty

This qualitative study examines low-income African American fathers' perceptions of their parenting role and the strategies they employ to bring up children in poor urban neighborhoods. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with 36 fathers who had contact with their children at least twice a month. Men in the study expressed conventional views of their fathering roles as provider, nurturer, and teacher, but placed the most emphasis on "being there" for their children, as their financial circumstances limited other forms of involvement. Many fathers felt their circumstances to be exacerbated by a hostile child-support system. They desired to teach their children alternatives to the negative practices and values they saw in their urban neighborhoods and to have the skills to prosper in mainstream society. Overall, the findings suggest that many low-income urban fathers already desire to be responsible fathers but see themselves as limited by material and structural challenges. Services and policies that promote the economic stability of low-income fathers are recommended.

A Comparative Study on the Child Support System

A Comparative Study on the Child Support System

Do Chinese parents with HIV tell their children the truth? A qualitative preliminary study of parental HIV disclosure in China

With the extended lifespan of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the advent of antiretroviral therapy, the disclosure of HIV serostatus to their uninfected children is becoming more critical. However, limited data are available regarding parental HIV disclosure to children in China. We explore patterns of parental HIV disclosure and the reasons for disclosure or non-disclosure to children. A preliminary study was conducted using open-ended questions in Guangxi, China in 2011 with 39 parents living with HIV. A majority of participants (77%) had not disclosed their HIV serostatus to their children. Participants who voluntarily disclosed tended to be older and were more likely to disclose to their adult children. Among parents who disclosed, reasons included a need for emotional and financial support, as well as feelings of obligation to their children. Among non-disclosing parents, primary reasons included concerns that children were too young to understand, fear of being stigmatized, and fear of increased psychological burden to children. Few parents with HIV disclosed their HIV status to their children. These data indicate the need for future research to explore disclosure issues in relation to children's age and the implementation of developmentally appropriate interventions and support systems for parents and children affected by HIV in China.

Child Support System of Australia

Child Support System of Australia

Introduction to Child Support after Marital Dissolution in Italy

This paper, presented at the “International Trends on Child Support after Divorce” symposium held at Kyungpook National University Law School (Daegu, South Korea) on 13th-15th January 2012, aims to provide a general overview on child support after marital dissolution in Italy, to those who wish to have a general knowledge about the topic. To allow a more deep understanding of the matter, the first part of the paper deals with a brief introduction to the Italian legal system and family law system. An outline of history of Italian family law is provided as well as a short summary regarding the family in the Constitution and in the Civil Code. The second part concerns the crisis of the family and gives an overview on current conflicts resolution on family affairs, separation and divorce in Italy. In the third section the child support system is explained in more details. According to the Italian system, in the case of separation, divorce or factual separation of natural parents, minors have the right to keep a balanced and continuous relation with both parents, to receive care, formation and education from both, and to keep a significant relation with ascendants and relatives. In order to enable this, the judge decides on the basis of moral and material interests of the child and specifies the amount of time that the child shall spend with each parent, conditions attaching to such periods, and the manner and extent of each parent’s contribution to the child’s maintenance, care, education and training. Each parent, except in cases in which parents have signed an agreement that provides otherwise, supports the children in proportion to his/her income and in order to fulfill the obligation of child support, the judge, if it is necessary, fixes the payment of periodic payments, taking into consideration: the present needs of the child; the standard of living of that the child enjoyed when he or she was living with the parents; the time that the child shall spend with each parent; both parents’ means; the economic value of domestic and care duties fulfilled by each parents. The duty of support terminates when the child reaches both the age of majority and financial independence. In fact, periodic payments are provided also for children who have reached major age but who are not independent economically. The system grants also for several measures to secure the performance of child support that are briefly explained in the last part of section Ⅲ. The conclusion part deals with the future challenges concerning child support in Italy.

The Jurisprudence of Parenting and the Influence of Religion on Effective Parenting

The instability of families in the contemporary (especially western) world puts in jeopardy effective parenting and healthy child development. This paper reviews some statistical evidence of the disintegration of families, especially in the United States, and the impact of fragmented families upon children. Clearly, being raised by both parents in a home with healthy marital stability is the most advantageous environmental factor for successful child development. However, because so many contemporary social trends thwart the formation and maintenance of healthy, marital parenting, there is a great need today for additional institutions that will provide an effective support system and safety net for children and their parents when marriages struggle, fail, or fail to form. Religion and religious communities can provide very valuable back-up support for parenting and child development. While contemporary instability of marriage formation and maintenance may suggest that parenting and child development are undervalued in many societies, this article reports that parenting is explicitly protected in multiple provisions in the text of national constitutions of nearly all nations in the world today. A survey of contemporary national constitutions shows that formal legal commitment to parenting and child development is emphatic and nearly ubiquitous globally. In political theory of the enlightenment (the basis for liberal democracy) parenting and childhood are given special preferential constitutional treatment because effective parenting is considered critical for the wellbeing of society and individuals. Good parenting provides protection for children; is an expression of the interdependent connectedness of human nature; enhances individual rights and welfare; and is essential to sustainable liberal democracy. Many social science studies indicate that participation in religion generally has a positive impact upon the quality of parenting, and upon the resulting healthy, positive development of children parents. Parenting and religious have mutually-reinforcing interests and concerns. While some unusual religious doctrines and practices are harmful to children, most research confirms that the influence of religion upon parenting and children usually is beneficial. Research also suggests a correlation between lack of protection for religion and violence in society. Protecting religious liberty, thus, increases social goods, sustains social stability, reduces inter-group violence, and that enhances the quality of parenting and childhood. Because we live in such difficult times with such significant challenges for the children, their parents, and for parenting, there is particular need for institutional support for parenting. Religion can provide such needed support. In conclusion, this article recommends that nations protect religions and religious liberty for the sake of the children.

Impact of Divorce on Children: Developmental Considerations

Although divorce can have significant negative impact on children, a variety of protective factors can increase the likelihood of long-term positive psychological adjustment. • Exposure to high levels of parental conflict is predictive of poor emotional adjustment by the child regardless of the parents' marital status. • Epidemiologic data reveal that custody and parenting arrangements are evolving, with more emphasis on joint custody and access to both parents by the child. • Pediatricians' knowledge of childhood development is essential in providing anticipatory guidance to parents throughout the divorce process and beyond.

Living status and support system of children orphaned by AIDS in central China—Description and policy recommendations

This study aimed to research the living status and support system of children orphaned by AIDS in rural Henan Province. The approach of face-to-face questionnaires research was used to assess 501 children’s current situation while in-depth interview was conducted for the support system research. The age range of the children orphaned by AIDS was 2 - 15 years old and the mean age was 11.10 years. Most children among 2 - 6 years had communication skills with temper control and psychological problems. Children of 7 - 15 years old had the ability to take care of themselves and family members but could not do self-regulation. The support system for children orphaned by AIDS included social support, policies support, education support, and health care support but improvement are needed in the future. Support system can be improved through much more feasible and concrete policies and strategies to guarantee these children’s basic needs and comprehensive development.