Deadbeat Dad Contest Bad for Kids

Fox News ^ | October 13, 2004 | Wendy McElroy

[The Loan Arranger]

On Oct. 1, Michigan launched a new crackdown on "deadbeats"— noncustodial parents who are behind on paying child support. The overwhelmingly majority of "deadbeats" are dads.

Custodial parents cheered; father’s rights groups objected. Children were caught in between. But Attorney General Mike Cox doesn’t seem concerned about keeping children as non-combatants in the war between their parents.

In conjunction with the website PayKids, a site Cox established to track down deadbeats, Cox announced a contest in which children are to draw pictures "that clearly convey the message of encouraging the payment of child support."

The contest’s prize: "The first 250 submissions will receive a $10 gift certificate to Domino's Pizza….And, the winner, will have their rendering reproduced into a billboard in a prominent location…"

The contest encourages custodial parents— who, it should be noted, are overwhelmingly mothers — to discuss the issue with children and assist "in crafting the message and visual representation."

[The Loan Arranger]

Discussion?

[Mr Ramsbotham]

In conjunction with the website PayKids, a site Cox established to track down deadbeats, Cox announced a contest in which children are to draw pictures "that clearly convey the message of encouraging the payment of child support."

How about "My Dad bent over in a dank cell being reamed out by a big dude named Bubba, while all the other inmates eagerly await their turn"?

[Bandaneira]

In Dubbo, NSW, here in Australia they have started a competition at the local pub. A team of dwarfs is throwing dead-beat dads into a replica of a family law court. Patrons enjoy the spectacle by drinking and holding up score cards based on the degree of difficulty of the event.

The Dubbo Advocates for Dead-Beat Dads, DADD, is lodging an objection with the Equal Opportunity Commission.

[SoDak]

I find it hard to stick up, or feel sorry for a guy who won't support his kids. If the pop thinks its too high, or visitation is poor, or the ex is a hag and makes life hell, he should complain loudly, but he ought to do it while cutting the check for his kids.

[weegee]

This is the culture that leads to all men being accused of being a deadbeat dad. Here in Texas I MUST submit my social security number in order to receive a driver's license, in part because they want to determine that I do not owe back child support.

I have never been married and have no kids but I am automatically suspected of being a criminal.

The issue is serious enough but it does not necessarily increase or guarantee child support payments. I know a woman who does not get her son's money. The father claimed an injury prevented him from working but I just happened to have homevideo of him performing in a band at a bar for money. Even with this, I think she had difficulty getting the court mandated payment.