There are many legitimate instances when a parent may not be able to contribute to raising a child. Unfortunately, a child’s needs do not miraculously reduce when the resources available dwindle. This puts unfair pressure on one parent to meet all the parenting obligations. Is it any wonder that single-parent households, particularly those with single mothers, make up a big portion of food-insecure families and those below the poverty line in America?
According to Fox 10, Alabama recently estimated that children were owed a whopping $4.1 billion in the state alone. There were more than 205,000 open child support cases contributing to this figure. In the article, a spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Human Services expressed concern about the struggles of children even when their basic needs were met. They might still miss out on field trips, not get nutritious meals and never have the opportunity to join an extracurricular activity.
These restrictions hinder a child’s growth and rob them of opportunities. It takes them a much longer time to find out what they love, what they are good at it and what hidden talents they might possess. Many children also feel ashamed of their financial status. Even when they do not understand the meaning of money and bills, they understand what it is like to have less than those around them.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that the rest of the nation fares no better. In April 2017, it estimated that non-custodial parents owed more than $114 billion in child support that was past due. This makes the $4.1 billion owed by Alabama parents seem like a mere drop in the bucket.