The laws requiring fathers to support their children have been in effect for 20-odd years, now. I remember taking advantage of them, myself, when my ex (hereafter known as SSS) said he would pay when forced to and not a penny more. He said it was my turn to support the girls, as he had supported the lot of us (badly) for 13 years. We separated in 1985, and support did not ensue until 1990. In the meantime, he had gone from an income of $40,000/year, to a part-time job at $6.25/her. So the support he had to pay was pretty minimal.
The point is, he had to pay it. He is still paying for not having paid for a couple of years. Now that the girls are 27 and 24, I still get $100/mo in back child support.
Perhaps the perceived increase in murders of pregnant spouses/girlfriends/etc., is related to the fact that these prospective fathers have finally realized that they have to pay.
In this day and age this is a confusing issue. Two people marry, they start a family, for one reason or another it doesn't work out. The children of the relationship need to be supported. Fair enough.
ReplyDeleteThen we have these stupid men who believe when the woman tells them she has it "handled" and the next thing you know, a good portion of his income is gone for the next 18 years. Sure, you play you pay but I have seen too many woman who trick successful guys in order to get a child and a nice big check every month. One I use to call my friend. The last thing she said to me was "I am certainly not leaving this relationship with nothing".
Just wondering, do you keep the 100 or did you give it to the girls since they are grown and out?
I went on for several years, splitting the $100 between the two girls. In recent times, Older daughter let me know that she didn't need it, and Younger Daughter has asked me to put her half toward the car payment we lent her several years ago. So, at this point, I'm keeping the money and counting it off the loan total.
ReplyDeleteI must lead a very sheltered life, because I have never met a woman who has had a child just to entrap a man into child support. I'm a firm believer that both members of a couple should use birth control, especially if they are indulging in casual sex.
BTW, I think your husband and SSS have to be related somehow! "SSS" stands for "Son of a Siberian Sasquatch."