Single Parents are not a rarity in American contemporary society. Many parents agree upon a non-court ordered payment upon separation to support the child. When the father suddenly ceases providing for the child in the manner agreed upon, the mother may become upset and overwhelmed with the notion of not having that means of support. The now single-mother will be tempted to push forth with filing a court ordered child support payment plan, assuming the father is now a “deadbeat dad.” However, the child support process is a long and tedious, which requires multiple steps without a fixed guarantee, and at many times results in a negative outcome. According to the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), the single mother in this case, should
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DuCanto in the American Journal of Family Law. (Delinquent Child Support- Making a Federal Case, p. 138). Many of these fathers are therefore scrutinized and labeled as “deadbeat dads” when in reality all they are, are “dead broke dads,” as coined by Blane Hardenjan in “Dead Broke Dads’ Child Support Struggle” (New York Times, 2002). With added back payments, fathers struggle to pay, which can therefore result in unintended resentment against the mother. According to the United States Census Bureau in surveys and interviews held in 2009, only 41.2% received the full amount of child support. Of this the majority was above 40 years old and did not depend on the child support as a priority basis of income to support their children. Of those descended below the poverty line, child support represented 62.6% of their basic survival income. Only about 30% of those dependent on child support received part or full payments (Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: …show more content…
Local nonprofit agencies aid mothers in need with rent, utilities, daycare, food, and clothing. The Department of Social Services provides the Women, Infant, and Children program (WIC) which aids mothers until the child reaches the age of 5. This program not only assists with food for the child, but also classes for the mother that will aid her with breastfeeding, family functioning, and family nutrition. The Department of social services provides food stamps and healthcare aid as well. In addition, local food banks provide food kits for families in need and many local churches provide assistance with many necessities, as well as, moral support from community members. Federal assistance organizations, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) aids in the form of cash assistance and the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) aids with energy-related costs and home repairs. Grants that are not to be re-paid, such as The Women’s Opportunity Awards and Sunshine Lady Foundation, aid single mothers with educational goals and other
DuCanto in the American Journal of Family Law. (Delinquent Child Support- Making a Federal Case, p. 138). Many of these fathers are therefore scrutinized and labeled as “deadbeat dads” when in reality all they are, are “dead broke dads,” as coined by Blane Hardenjan in “Dead Broke Dads’ Child Support Struggle” (New York Times, 2002). With added back payments, fathers struggle to pay, which can therefore result in unintended resentment against the mother. According to the United States Census Bureau in surveys and interviews held in 2009, only 41.2% received the full amount of child support. Of this the majority was above 40 years old and did not depend on the child support as a priority basis of income to support their children. Of those descended below the poverty line, child support represented 62.6% of their basic survival income. Only about 30% of those dependent on child support received part or full payments (Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: …show more content…
Local nonprofit agencies aid mothers in need with rent, utilities, daycare, food, and clothing. The Department of Social Services provides the Women, Infant, and Children program (WIC) which aids mothers until the child reaches the age of 5. This program not only assists with food for the child, but also classes for the mother that will aid her with breastfeeding, family functioning, and family nutrition. The Department of social services provides food stamps and healthcare aid as well. In addition, local food banks provide food kits for families in need and many local churches provide assistance with many necessities, as well as, moral support from community members. Federal assistance organizations, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) aids in the form of cash assistance and the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) aids with energy-related costs and home repairs. Grants that are not to be re-paid, such as The Women’s Opportunity Awards and Sunshine Lady Foundation, aid single mothers with educational goals and other