All parents should have to help with the care and needs of their children, but is the government and states pushing for responsibility from the RIGHT parent??
(I am going to be using REAL numbers and scenerios for this article!!!)
The custodial mother #1 (first marriage) has four children in her home that the non-custodial father pays support, in the amount of $1050 a month, for. The custodial mother also gets food stamps, housing assistance, and medicare. She pays roughly $450 a month for a 4 bedroom condo with her housing assistance. She has been a full-time student for 10+ years, has at least an associates degree and has chosen not to be employed. The mother also gets at least $400 a month in food stamps.
The custodial mother #2 (second marriage) has three children in her home that the non-custodial father pays support, in the amount of $580 a month, for. This mother does work but does not claim so and still receives the governement assistance. She makes at least $1600 a month, and gets at least $400 in food assistance and pays no more than $500 for housing.
The father has a gross monthly income of $2134. He has one child in his current home from his current marriage. The mother of that child works only part-time so she can be home with their child while he is at work. She makes $400 a month. The father is currently paying $900 a month for a 3 bedroom home.
Now lets add up how much income these households bring home.....
Custodial Mother #1 Custodial Mother #2 Non-Custodial Father
$1050 Child Support $1600 Work Income $4134 Work Income
+400 Food Assistance + 400 Food Assistance + 400 (Spouses income)
+ 580 Child Support
------------------------ ---------------------------- ----------------------------
$1450 $2580 $4534
-450 Rent - 500 Rent -900 Rent
-600 taxes/etc withheld (High Est.) -1050 Child Support #1
-580 Child Support #2
-1000 taxes/etc withheld
------------------- ------------------- -------------------------
$1000 $1480 $1013
The total left has to suffice for food, utilities, gas...etc.
Why would a mother choose to work when she makes just as much money as the father who does work? The father does not have the luxury of choosing not to work because the child support will just add-up whether he works or not. Custodial mother #1 has a degree and a POTENTIAL earning of at least $1600 a month (based on her last job position held). Why does the government not force the support to be equal among the parents?
Another expense put solely on the father is transportation during his visitation. He drives 12 hours to get his six children, turns around and does the whole drive again. Last year he drove that distance to see his children for Christmas, only to have mother #2 avoid his phone calls. He had to leave their Christmas presents with a family member. Mother #2 has not allowed him see the 3 children he is paying support for in over 2 years.
Last summer, Mother #1 (who doesn't work), went to Ireland for the summer.....
Mother #2, got new tattoo's and piercing back in 2010 when she wasn't working.....
If our government is going to get involved with one part of a child's welfare......shouldn't they also be worried about where the money is going and whether the children get adequate time with both parents for stable emotional health??
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