Search Results

Title: Do the Earnings Deficiencies of Unwed Fathers Account for Their Low Child Support Payments?
Resulting in 1 citation.
1. Lerman, Robert I.
Do the Earnings Deficiencies of Unwed Fathers Account for Their Low Child Support Payments?
In: Paternity Establishment: A Public Policy Conference, Volume 2: Studies of the Circumstances of Mothers and Fathers. Madison, WI: Institute for Research on Poverty, 1992: pp. 191-218.
Also: http://www.irp.wisc.edu/publications/sr/pdfs/sr56b.pdf
Cohort(s): NLSY79
Publisher: Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP), University of Wisconsin - Madison
Keyword(s): Child Support; Children; Fathers; Fathers, Absence; Fertility; Marital Status

Permission to reprint the abstract has not been received from the publisher.

Also: Special Report #SR 56B, IRP, Madison WI, 1992: pp. 191-218. http://www.irp.wisc.edu/publications/sr/pdfs/sr56b.pdf

Fatherhood brings new financial responsibilities so that, due the added cost of supporting a child, parents must increase their earnings or reduce their own material living standards. This paper asks about the linkages between earnings and child support payments. We begin by examining the job market success of unwed fathers. Do young unwed fathers earn significantly less than other young men? If so, what accounts for their disadvantages? Are the differences between unwed fathers and married fathers caused by differences in worker capabilities, such as low education and limited work experience, or differences in worker effort? Do young unwed fathers eventually experience rapid earnings growth or do their earnings stagnate? The child support payment record of unwed fathers is examined as well as the relationship between increased earnings and added support payments. A common assumption guiding public policy is that increased earnings among unwed fathers will generate increased support payments. Findings bear on questions concerning the appropriate government role in dealing with earnings deficiencies of unwed fathers. Should public programs provide targeted employment and training assistance to these young men? How should programs link the fulfillment of child support obligations with job-related services? Do adjustments in government benefit programs make sense? The paper concludes by reporting on demonstration projects.

Bibliography Citation
Lerman, Robert I. "Do the Earnings Deficiencies of Unwed Fathers Account for Their Low Child Support Payments?" In: Paternity Establishment: A Public Policy Conference, Volume 2: Studies of the Circumstances of Mothers and Fathers. Madison, WI: Institute for Research on Poverty, 1992: pp. 191-218.