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Policy Watch: Child Support Policies

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  • Robert I. Lerman

Abstract

With more parents living apart, the societal problem of parents who fail to share with each other or with their children becomes more acute. Although governments have mainly relied on public transfers to address the resulting economic hardships among children, the emphasis has been shifting toward mandatory sharing through the rigorous enforcement of child support laws. This paper first describes the economic context for child support; the expanding federal role in regulating awards and collections; the complex array of incentive and equity effects associated with child support; the record of obtaining support payments from noncustodial parents; and the effects of new award-setting and enforcement policies. Finally, it considers the child support assurance system (CSAS) approach, recently proposed in Congress. Under this plan, the government would make up the difference between some minimum assured payment and the child support actually paid by the non-custodial parent.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert I. Lerman, 1993. "Policy Watch: Child Support Policies," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 7(1), pages 171-182, Winter.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jecper:v:7:y:1993:i:1:p:171-82
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/jep.7.1.171
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    File URL: http://www.aeaweb.org/articles.php?doi=10.1257/jep.7.1.171
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robins, Philip K, 1986. "Child Support, Welfare Dependency, and Poverty," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 76(4), pages 768-788, September.
    2. Philip K. Robins, 1992. "Why Did Child Support Award Levels Decline from 1978 to 1985?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 27(2), pages 362-379.
    3. Irwin Garfinkel & Marieka M. Klawitter, 1990. "The effect of routine income withholding of child support collections," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 9(2), pages 155-177.
    4. Greg J. Duncan & Saul D. Hoffman, 1985. "Economic Consequences of Marital Instability," NBER Chapters, in: Horizontal Equity, Uncertainty, and Economic Well-Being, pages 427-470, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Aizer & ASara McLanahan, 2006. "The Impact of Child Support Enforcement on Fertility, Parental Investments, and Child Well-Being," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 41(1).
    2. Reagan A. Baughman, 2017. "The impact of child support on child health," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 69-91, March.
    3. González-Val, Rafael & Marcén, Miriam, 2012. "Unilateral divorce versus child custody and child support in the U.S," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 81(2), pages 613-643.
    4. Brandeanna Allen & John Nunley & Alan Seals, 2011. "The Effect of Joint-Child-Custody Legislation on the Child-Support Receipt of Single Mothers," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 124-139, March.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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