NOT SO

"DEADBEAT"
Understanding Barriers to Fatherhood
Involvement

WHAT'S THE STORY WITH "DEADBEAT DADS"?

Fathers who don't pay child support are often referred to as "deadbeat
dads". However, this narrative gives little consideration to structural
determinants of fathers' inability to pay. More harmful still, other ways
that fathers are involved in their child's life are overlooked. The current
child support system somtimes imposes unrealistic demands on fathers
and often hinders their ability to progress financially.
The consequences of non-compliance can be overly punitive, deter fathers from seeking
resources, and have negative mental health consequences. Taking into consideration the
obstacles that fathers face, here are some facts and recommendations for rewriting the
"deadbeat dad" narrative.

DEDICATED DADS:
POSITIVE FATHER INVOLVEMENT

A substantial body of research demonstrates a compelling link between

positive father involvement and improved child outcomes:

Many low-income fathers want to  "be there" for their children by
providing more than just financial support. Fathers are also committed
to providing attention, instruction, and care for their children. [1]

Children with involved fathers perform better academically, have higher self-esteem, and
fewer behavioral problems than children with less contact from their fathers. [2]

WHY DON'T SOME FATHERS PAY?

Fathers who are low-income represent the largest population of

non-compliant fathers who owe child support. Approximately
26% (2.8 million) of noncustodial fathers are poor, and 88% of
this population does not pay child support. [3]
Limited financial resources make it difficult to meet fiscal
obligations to multiple children. [4]
Fathers fear potential consequences of interacting with the child
support system and stigmatization from past interactions with
the system. [5]

FATHERS WHO CAN'T WORK CAN'T PAY

Larger economic trends influence fathers' ability to pay. Local

unemployment rates are related to decreases in compliance and ultimately,
punitive consequences for the family. For families on cash assistance, this
pattern is even more severe. [6]
Child support compliance increases if the burden “the ratio of the amount
of child support owed to earnings”—is between 25-34 % of earnings; if the
burden is over 35%, payment rates decline. [7]
Non-custodial fathers often turn to high-risk, informal income sources in order to stay afloat
financially.

[1] Randles, J. (2020). The means to and meaning of “being there” in responsible fatherhood programming with low‐income fathers. Family Relations, 69(1), 7-20. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12376
[2] Maldonado, S. (2005). Deadbeat or deadbroke: Redefining child support for poor fathers. UC Davis L. Rev., 39, 991. Retrieved from https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/davlr39&i=1003
[3] Brito, T. L. (2012). Fathers Behind Bars: Rethinking Child Support Policy Toward Low-Income Noncustodial Fathers and Their Families. J. Gender Race & Just., 15, 617. Retrieved from https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?
h=hein.journals/jgrj15&i=625&a=dW1pY2guZWR1

FOR REFERENCE:
[4] Vogel, L. K. (2020). Barriers to meeting formal child support obligations: Noncustodial father perspectives. Children and Youth Services Review, 104764. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104764
[5] Threlfall, J. M., & Kohl, P. L. (2015). Addressing Child Support in Fatherhood Programs: Perspectives of Fathers and Service Providers. Family Relations, 64(2), 291–304. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12119
[6] Mincy, R. B., Miller, D.P.,& De la Cruz Toledo, E. (2016). Child support compliance during economic downturns. Children and youth services review, 65, 127-139. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.03.018
WWW.ENTREPRISESCANADA.CA
[7] Meyer, D. R., Ha, Y., & Hu, M.-C. (2008). Do High Child Support Orders Discourage Child Support Payments? Social Service Review, 82(1), 93–118. doi: 10.1086/526503
 FATHERS WHO CAN PAY SHOULD PAY

Paying child support is linked to increased longterm father-child

involvement. One study finds that fathers who pay child support
spend over 27 additional days per year with their children. [8] [15]
Children who receive child support have better educational
outcomes. In fact, research shows that child support dollars have a
greater impact on a child's school performance than any other
source of income. [8] [16]
Child support can also benefit the entire family system. A review of
several studies find that child support typically lessens parental
conflict, helps custodial parents to find quality employment, and
reduces poverty as well as family dependence on welfare. [8]

FATHERS' LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND

SUPPORT

Fathers often have limited parenting skills and few opportunities to

acquire essential skills. [9]
Men are not aware of how to navigate the child support system and
other systems around them, which creates a lack of trust. [5]
Some fathers—especially minority fathers—face gender stereotypes
and racism, that contribute greatly to how society views them as
failed providers. [10]

MENTAL HEALTH OF FATHERS

Fathers experience clinically significant mental health conditions

that contribute to unemployment and potentially their inability to
comply with child support payments. [11]
Research also indicates that large amounts of debt can lead to
psychological and interpersonal consequences correlated with
stress and strain. [12]

ADVERSE IMPACTS OF
THE "DEADBEAT DAD" NARRATIVE

There are several child support enforcement tools in place to collect debt, such as
incarceration, license suspension, tax refund withholding and wage garnishing, that
disproportionately impact low-income fathers and fathers of color. [13]
[10]

Mandatory court appearances may not take into consideration work

obligations of fathers, forcing them either to miss work or risk their
freedom. [4]

LET'S FLIP THE SCRIPT!

Here are several suggestions to improve father involvement and reduce punitive "deadbeat dad" stigma:
Programs should redefine what it means to be a father by emphasizing physical presence and
emotional support as a primary factor of father involvement. [1]
Offer support for fathers to become more engaged and involved in their child’s
life by providing parent education, guidance, and economic stability assistance
that increases the quality of service delivery for fathers. [14]
Improving service coordination on a state level can promote more positive
impacts for father involvement by increasing co-parent bonding skills, a better
labor market, and lower incarceration rates.[9]
[8] Office of Child Support.(2016). A good investment. Retrieved from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/programs/css/sbtn_csp_is_a_good_investment.pdf
[9] Child &Family. (2018b). Transforming Communities for Fathers through Evidence-Based Systems-Level Change. Retrieved from
https://childandfamilyresearch.utexas.edu/transforming-communities-fathers-through-evidence-based-systems-level-change
[10] Randles, J. (2018). Making Men into “Responsible” Fathers. Contexts, 17(2), 34–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/1536504218776962
[11]Thomason, E., Himle, J. A., Tolman, R. M., Sinco, B. R., & Savas, S. A. (2017). The effect of social anxiety, generalized anxiety, depression and substance abuse on child support
payment compliance among non-custodial parents. Children and Youth Services Review, 79, 180-185.
[12] Roman, C. G., & Link, N. W. (2017). Community reintegration among prisoners with child support obligations: An examination of debt, needs, and service receipt. Criminal justice
policy review, 28(9), 896-917. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0887403415611460
[13]Turner, K. J., & Waller, M. R. (2017). Indebted relationships: Child support arrears and nonresident fathers' involvement with children. Journal of Marriage and Family, 79(1), 24-43.
Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12361
[14]Child &Family. (2018a). Federal, State, and Local Efforts Supporting Father Involvement. Retrieved from https://childandfamilyresearch.utexas.edu/federal-state-and-local-efforts-
supporting-father-involvement
[15]Peters, E., Argys, L., Howard, H., & Butler, J.S. (2004). Legislating Love: The Effect of Child Support and Welfare Policies on Father-Child Contact. Review of Economics of the
Household, 2, 255-274.
[16]Argys, L. Peters, E., Brooks-Gunn, J., & Smith, J. (1998). The Impact of Child Support on Cognitive Outcomes of Young Children. Demography, 35(2), 159-173.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

MICHIGAN ACTION PLAN FOR FATHER INVOLVEMENT (MAP-FI)