Search -
Child Support and Low-Income Families: Perceptions, Practices, and Policy
Child Support and LowIncome Families Perceptions Practices and Policy Author:Maureen Rosamond Waller, Robert D. Plotnick More than one-fourth of California families with children are headed by a single parent, and it is estimated that about 3 million children are eligible for child support from a noncustodial parent. Major policy reforms have sought to ensure that parents who live apart from their children contribute to their financial support. Yet the child su... more »pport system in California and most other states is still widely criticized for poor performance. To better understand why the system breaks down for many low-income unmarried parents, the authors synthesize findings from recent qualitative case studies that examine how child support regulations affect the economic situations of low-income unmarried parents and their children, the relationships between custodial and noncustodial parents, and the willingness of both parents to co-operate with child support authorities. In light of the findings, the report examines the likely efficacy and possible unintended effects of policy reforms that are either under way or under discussion in California.« less