Single Parents and Child Support Systems

Reviews / Votes

'For years, policy makers have been trying to design child support systems which help separated parents yet encourage them to take fiscal responsibility for their children. This illuminating book examines ten countries' child support policies across six continents and provides fascinating insight into the different systems adopted. It digs deep and also considers the socio-economic and political contexts shaping those policies. The authors use this analysis to pinpoint potential changes to address "the triple bind" single parents face. An invaluable resource for scholars, students, policy makers, and anyone using child support systems. As an international family lawyer tackling international and national child support issues, I found it hugely enlightening.' -- Lucy Greenwood, Partner, International Family Law Group LLP, UK 'This is a fascinating foray into the intersection of state, market, and family policies relating to child support programs in ten different countries. Positioning child support as a means of operationalizing the opportunity costs of children's care is indeed a novel way of examining the child support program. The authors, all experts in child support and other socioeconomic interventions, make the strong case that child support is in fact falling short of meeting the needs of the moms who are relying on assistance. To potentially remedy this situation, the authors ask us what is the fundamental purpose of child support?' -- Steven J. Golightly, Ph.D, Retired Director of the Los Angeles Child Support Program, US 'Designing policy for separating families is thorny yet consequential. This book not only provides an excellent overview of current policy but also addresses new policy dilemmas and explores ideas for dramatic change. The authors achieve an excellent balance between policy specifics within countries and thoughtful discussion of the broader and enduring issues that emerge when comparing different contexts. Read it!' -- Daniel R. Meyer, University of Wisconsin-Madison, US