New Research Shows Previous Studies Overestimated Fathers' Ability to Pay Child Support by 33-60%
June 19th, 2009 by Robert Franklin, Esq.I've said it before and I'll say it again; the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study is a goldmine for fathers' rights. Not only is it one of the most comprehensive and best-done studies ever, the data it produced time and again supports fathers and fathers' rights. Not only that, but it supports them in some unexpected ways.
Centered at Princeton, the Fragile Families study has involved many important researchers in the field of family dynamics and sociology. Sara McLanahan, Irwin Garfinkel, Kathryn Edin, Ronald Mincy and others have made huge contributions to understanding the complexities of poor single-parent families.
Briefly, the study is following about 5,000 children, most of whom were born into poor, single-parent homes in middle-sized U.S. cities. Interviews with parents were conducted as well as in-home surveys. These were done at birth and repeated at ages one, three and five. Additional funding has been obtained for a new round of interviews at age nine.
The study inquires into four main areas (1) the conditions and capabilities of unmarried parents, especially fathers, (2) the nature of relationships between unmarried parents, (3) how children born into these families fare and (4) how public policies and external factors affect these families.
Data-gathering began in 1998 and dozens of papers analyzing it have been published.
Here and here are links to abstracts of two recent publications by Garfinkel and others that are extremely enticing. The full articles seem to not yet be available.
The first article attempts to correct previous research into child support obligations of non-custodial fathers. Apparently that research overestimated fathers' ability to pay child support by some 33-60%. That plays out against a backdrop of findings by the Office of Child Support Enforcement. One OCSE study showed that 60% of child support arrearages are owed by men who report earning under $10,000 per year. Another criticized state courts for being largely indifferent to parents' ability to pay when setting child support levels.
The second abstract is for an article that deals with whether our welfare system, specifically payments under TANF, encourages or discourages marriage. The article finds that it discourages it, much as the old AFDC used to. And that seems to be strictly a function of money. The authors say that TANF recipients don't change their attitudes about marriage per se, but tend to avoid marriage as long as they're receiving assistance. Once that stops, marriage becomes a more attractive option.
Data from the Fragile Families study continues to produce rich and informative analyses of fathers and families and promises to add still more with its fifth wave of data upcoming. Stay tuned.
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June 19th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
The first case illustrates that indigent people are screwed over by our 'justice' system to further someone else's politics.
The second case illustrates that we'll continue to have a problem with single moms as long as we keep paying women to be or become single moms.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
These may be new findings because of the studies being done on the subject, but is it really something we don't know?
June 19th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
The studies are what we expected and what we have experienced, but it's another credible source to discredit the war on fathers.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
These are the most popular Dad models available in the market today:
- NCR
- Diebold
- Triton Systems
- STARsm
Also the French computer company Groupe Bull has good models that are reliable and used widely by banks across Europe.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Puma -
If one of *those* is assaulted or robbed, it's a crime. It doesn't get arrested for DV itself.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
You are right OD. ATM Machines at least have *some* legal rights.
June 20th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Kryptonite for NOW feminists and single mom enthusiasts. We must dig up more.
June 20th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
The first abstract is "Unwed Fathers Inability to pay child support". Why just unwed fathers? Is it because they expect the 2nd wives to help fork over money to the first family? What about any new kids in the second family? I sure hope these researchers didn't over-look this situation because there are a hell of a lot of WED-fathers who are also being charged 33-60% too much, and have an inability to pay. And their 2nd wives are getting tired of contributing to the first kids designer jeans and shopping at the salvation army for their own kids.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 am
Apparently that research overestimated fathers' ability to pay child support by some 33-60%.
Maybe we should start calling these unpayable orders 'sub-prime'?
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 am
Well un fortunatly my children were born to have mommy nail done and to continue her severe drinking problem every weekend! Oh I just found out Im paying her trip to Vegas in August. Due to this ressesion and being in the construction trades, I was laid off and am now unfortunatly collecting unemployment. My monthly income is$984.00 am month with expenses that exceed $2200.00 a month. I have been held in contempt of court for being unable to pay the $1200.00 requested by her an dher attorney! This woman makes between $90,000.00-$100,000.00 a year and refuses to give me a break! Claims I am attacking her legally and has had me p laced on two years probation. Something has got to change here! She simply wants to swap out their biologial father, for another while I am stuggling to survive. Its to the point where she has almost ruined me, late on rent, late on support, late on car payment..! Im screwed! Please help! Any advice on what to do? Thanks!
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 am
Excerpt:
"TANF, encourages or discourages marriage. The article finds that it discourages it, much as the old AFDC used to. And that seems to be strictly a function of money. The authors say that TANF recipients don't change their attitudes about marriage per se, but tend to avoid marriage as long as they're receiving assistance."
Big Daddy Government is actively competing with each and every hetero male as substitute husband. If many millions of women are married to the state, then the state's power grows.
June 26th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
J Fonz: After many years of struggle with my ex wife about our children or sons as they are now 20 and 22, my only suggestion is to put your head between your legs and kiss your wallet good bye. However there is a better way, you could always move to Iran as the punishment is far less than you will find in America for divorced dad's. Actually they may make us poster boys for American decadence. By the way this is not in jest. Good luck