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Taking care of mine: Can child support become a family-building institution?

Date Added to Library: 
Friday, March 29, 2019 - 14:20
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 
10.1111/jftr.12324
Priority: 
normal
Individual Author: 
Edin, Kathryn
Nelson, Timothy J.
Butler, Rachel
Francis, Robert
Reference Type: 
Research Methodology: 
Published Date: 
03/05/2019
Published Date (Date): 
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Publication: 
Journal of Family Theory & Review
Page Range: 
79-91
Year: 
2019
Language(s): 
Abstract: 

U.S. children are more likely to live apart from a biological parent than at any time in history. Although the Child Support Enforcement system has tremendous reach, its policies have not kept pace with significant economic, demographic, and cultural changes. Narrative analysis of in-depth interviews with 429 low-income noncustodial fathers suggests that the system faces a crisis of legitimacy. Visualization of language used to describe all forms child support show that the formal system is considered punitive and to lead to a loss of power and autonomy. Further, it is not associated with coparenting or the father–child bond—themes closely associated with informal and in-kind support. Rather than stoking men’s identities as providers, the system becomes “just another bill to pay.” Orders must be sustainable, all fathers should have coparenting agreements, and alternative forms of support should count toward fathers’ obligations. Recovery of government welfare costs should be eliminated. (Author abstract)

Page Count: 
13
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