RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Reforming Policy for Single-Parent Families to Reduce Child Poverty
JF RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences
FD Russell Sage Foundation
SP 91
OP 112
DO 10.7758/RSF.2018.4.2.05
VO 4
IS 2
A1 Maria Cancian
A1 Daniel R. Meyer
YR 2018
UL http://www.rsfjournal.org/content/4/2/91.abstract
AB We argue that child support, the central program specifically targeting single-parent families, should increase financial resources for children living with a single parent, with a secondary goal of holding parents responsible for supporting their children. Current child support policy is substantially successful for divorcing families in which the noncustodial parent has at least moderate formal earnings. However, the system does not work well for lower-income families, especially unmarried couples: far too few children regularly receive substantial support and the system is sometimes counterproductive to encouraging parental responsibility. We propose: a public guarantee of a minimum amount of support per child, assurances that no noncustodial parent will be charged beyond their current means, and a broadening of child support services.