Posted on 08/02/2006 12:38:07 PM PDT by PercivalWalks
Child support debtors are everybody’s favorite punching bag. The Daily News is apparently no exception, as reporter Dana DiFillippo recently penned two ill-advised, one-sided critiques of divorced and separated fathers.
In Jail Threat Springs $$, DiFillippo highlights the story of a local "deadbeat” who offered a judge a “list of reasons why he had failed to pay almost $16,000" in child support. The judge “barks” at these explanations and gives the surprised father two months in jail. DiFillippo approvingly quotes prosecutor Maria McLaughlin, who “chalked up another victory” with the case, as McLaughlin blames the debtor for his incarceration. According to McLaughlin, he should have simply paid the $1,200 "purge factor" the judge set to allow him to avoid jail.
Though DiFillippo is apparently too busy applauding to notice, McLaughlin’s view of the case makes little sense. The father would rather spend two months in jail than pay $1,200? The father thinks it’s better to lose his job and two months or more of wages than pay the purge factor? This dad is either broke or he sure has a strange set of priorities.
Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement data shows it’s likely the former--two-thirds of those behind on child support nationwide earn poverty level wages; less than four percent of the national child support debt is owed by those earning $40,000 or more a year.
The inflated arrearages are created in large part because the child support system is mulishly impervious to the economic realities working people face, such as layoffs, wage cuts, unemployment, and work-related injuries. According to the Urban Institute, less than one in 20 non-custodial parents who suffers a substantial drop in income is able to obtain a reduction in child support payments.
McLaughlin tells DiFillippo that some debtors don't go to jail because they "miraculously come up with the money" for the purge factor. However, this is usually not the debtor's money--his parents, relatives and friends have collected the purge factor to keep him out of jail. McLaughlin’s admission that many do go to jail rather than pay is evidence of these obligors’ inability to pay.
In DiFillippo’s other article, “Woman starts Web site to shame vanished dads,” she salutes activist Fadia Ward and her website www.sorryassbabydaddies.com. Ward excoriates dads and calls on her fellow sisters to publicly humiliate them, saying “our men have got to get it together…the only way to do that is to take their manhood away.” Ward, who at age 27 has had four children by four different fathers, eschews any personal fault for her own situation, claiming that none of her four births were intended.
The home page of Ward’s website depicts an African-American father shouting “get outta here with all that” as his two little children cry at his feet, begging for his affection, and the children’s mother cries and holds out a baby to him. This is a terrible distortion of the lives of divorced or separated dads, many of whom struggle to remain a part of their children’s lives.
According to the Children's Rights Council, a Washington, DC-based children's advocacy group, more than five million American children each year have their access to their noncustodial parents interfered with or blocked by custodial parents. These fathers must wage expensive court battles in order to see their children. Some can't afford it and give up, and are understandably unenthused about sacrificing to pay support to the exes who separated them from their kids.
On many occasions the Daily News has movingly portrayed the problems faced by Philadelphia's legions of low-income African-American men. In April, Sandra Shea described a "growing population of invisible men haunting the streets" who “enter a world stripped of opportunity, such as the well-paying manufacturing jobs that used to exist.” These men struggle to find jobs and pay their rent—does DiFillippo believe that they don’t similarly struggle to pay their child support?
This column first appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News (8/2/06). The two Philadelphia Daily News pieces to which this responds are Jail Threat Springs $$ (7/20/06) and Woman starts Web site to shame vanished dads (7/20/06). We also make positive reference to Sandra Shea’s Rescuing society's dropouts (4/21/06). We commend the paper for its willingness to publish such criticism.
Jeffery M. Leving is the author of the book Fathers' Rights: Hard-hitting and Fair Advice for Every Father Involved in a Custody Dispute. His website is www.dadsrights.com.
Glenn Sacks' columns on men's and fathers' issues have appeared in dozens of America's largest newspapers. Glenn can be reached via his website at www.GlennSacks.com or via email at Glenn@GlennSacks.com.
When judges stop pandering to the feminists, and start enforcing the LAW, such as laws against false abuse accusations, I may have my confidence in the justice system restored.
Right now the justice system is a political system, not a legal one. Folks looking for law to be applied should look elsewhere.
"Sounds like Fadia Ward should get the mattress off her back and keep her legs closed!"
Yep, and those who do take advantage of her frequent give-aways should keep in mind what could happen as a result. However, coming from somewhere that is 70% minority (lol), her characterizations aren't too far off the mark in lots of cases.
I've seen the family court system from the inside. I've had lots of time to watch its workings from when my parents got divorced. I have personally watched the family court system make a foul mockery of real justice, up close and personal. It's an institution we don't need.
Interesting reading.
I never expected him to be my man or anything but I sure expected him to be a father to his son especially after he got his DNA test results back
Rahsaan is a very intelligent black man who you can clearly see has been raised right by his mother..................Rahsaan if you are reading this get fixed so you won't have 12 kids Instead of {7} and stop smoking weed, you can take that weed money and pay some child support
But then, I've also seen fathers who do whatever possible to get to see their children and who love those children more than their own lives.
In other words, there are good fathers and there are bad fathers, just like there are good mothers and there are bad mothers. As the commercial says, it takes a man to be a Dad, but anyone can be a father.
I'm lost. How do single moms with no husband manage when single moms with a husband can't do it without his child support?
Right. What your ill-advised half-truths conceal but belligerent attitude reveals, is, after being "taken into consideration" how often they were dismissed without a second thought. Tell us another one, judge, we got all day for BS shyster stories.
But first answer how a single mom can have a husband? Wink.
If you were married, you have a husband.
Well said, and good point. But how far did you go in pursuing your rights in court? Mediation can work, but obviously only when the parties agree.
Some free advice for everyone in this situation: if your circumstances or that of the other party change substantially, commence modification proceedings immediately. Most of the injustice cases I've heard resulted from untimely pursuit of rights. Ordinarily your request for modification can only be granted from the date of the filing of the petition.
This is how prisoners were supposed to be released from debtors' prison in the old days - a relative was supposed to come up with the money. Today, it's "deadbeat dads."
"But how far did you go in pursuing your rights in court?"
Unlike some, I count the cost BEFORE hand, particularly when my X is involved. It's never been about the money for me, its been about what is best for my daughter. Right now its best for her to get to school and hopefully graduate in 4 or 5 years. If she pulls down the grades, I have the means to make sure that happens. If toward the end of her time in school, her mother has continued to fail to contribute, I will discuss with my daughter whether recouping some of those expenses is worth the fight. It would be my daughters money, not mine. My guess is that the answer will be no, and I will respect that. Of course, if my X continues to destroy their relationship, well, maybe we go for it. In that case, the gloves will come off, big time.
Did I mention my daughter is 18 and that at 19 any and all legal recourse my X might possibly have against me will be exhausted? That will be a happy day. The child support & divorce portions of our legal system are tailor made for people like my X (female, perpetually offended and mean) and I though I have gone above and beyond, I have ALWAYS had her threats of legal action put in my face.
You have demonstrated wisdom, I think, in a very difficult situation. But keep your daughter out of the decision. If their relationship is poisoned, then just let it be. You're far better off placing your energies in a developing a good relationship with your daughter. Good luck.
When I was a single mother, and received no child support, I begged and borrowed to get by. He wouldn't even assist with daycare expenses so I could get a full time job. I try hard to be objective on this issue, knowing that there are also women out there who abuse the system and falsely accuse men of being the father of their child(ren)or use the child support to support themselves rather than the children. However, what I also know is that there are irresponsible fathers out there who work under the table and therefore hide their income to avoid taking responsibility.
I agree but it doesn't answer the question. How can single moms, who have never been married, have these kids and get along but moms who have been married can't get by without child support?
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