Article Evaluation Jessie Johnson Gu 299 Gran

2article Evaluationarticle Evaluationjessie Johnsongu 299grantham Univ

Choose a topic to research that focuses on problems and solutions. Write your topic statement here: Child Support Issues.

Article 1: Child Support Enforcement Program: Elements, Financial Issues, and Incentive Payment Policies. Paste the link here: Provide an APA Citation: (Chollet, 2013). How old is the information? 7 years old. When was this site last updated? In 2013. Is it current enough for your project? Yes.

Reliability: The information is accurate, originating from government laws and legislations. Who is sponsoring this publication? EBSCOhost. Does the information come from a school or government organization? Yes. Do you trust this source? Yes, because it is a scholarly article used for academic purposes. Authority: The author is Pascal Chollet, an editor specializing in government policies on child support and children’s welfare. The author’s contact info is not provided. Although the bibliography is not included, links go to other reliable sources. Purpose: The article aims to explain child support policies, laws, and legislations. It is informational and lacks bias.

This article discusses the child support enforcement framework created in 1975 to ensure steady financial support for children from noncustodial parents, helping families stay independent of public assistance. It highlights that the program collected $27.3 billion and managed almost 15.8 million cases, but only 62% of current support obligations are collected, and 57% of cases are served. The article examines funding issues, with some policymakers arguing for greater state contributions, and presents an alternative perspective view where collections are seen as recovery of welfare expenditures instead of direct payments to families.

Article 2: Child Support Compliance in the USA and Australia: To Persuade or Punish? Paste the link here: Provide an APA Citation: (Oldham & Smyth, 2019). How old is the information? 1 year old. When was this site last updated? October 2019. Is it current enough for your project? Yes.

Reliability: The authors, professors of law at the University of Houston, are credible sources. The information is accurate. The website is sponsored by EBSCOhost and comes from a reputable academic background. Trustworthiness is high due to author expertise. The bibliography is not provided, but the links go to other reliable sources. Purpose: The article compares child support compliance strategies in the U.S. and Australia, discussing the different approaches and their effectiveness. It aims to inform and analyze these systems without bias.

This scholarly article explores how the United States and Australia manage child support enforcement. It notes that the US focuses heavily on enforcement measures such as penalties and sanctions, whereas Australia employs a broader, more comprehensive approach that includes support services and adjustments over decades. Both countries face challenges with compliance, and neither has achieved substantial progress. The US system emphasizes correctional procedures, while Australia's strategy includes policy reforms and reinforcement of enforcement mechanisms. The article suggests that these contrasting strategies reflect different societal values and legal frameworks, influencing the effectiveness of compliance efforts.

Article 3: How America's Child Support System Failed To Keep Up With The Times. Paste the link here: Provide an APA Citation: (Pao, 2015). How old is the information? 4 years old. When was this site last updated? November 19, 2015. Is it current enough? Yes.

Reliability: The article is from a news outlet, GPB, and authored by Maureen Pao, a journalist with expertise in reporting on social issues. The data appears accurate. It cites interviews and research but lacks a bibliography. The source is trustworthy as a professional journalism outlet. In-text citations show relevant references. Purpose: The article aims to show how child support policies have evolved and failed to adapt to changing family structures and societal trends. It discusses the increase in nonmarital childbearing and the implications for enforcement and family law.

This report outlines how the US child support system, established in the 1970s, was designed to replicate pre-divorce family roles with the father as provider and mother as caretaker. Over decades, societal changes such as increased nonmarital childbearing and single parenthood challenged this model. The system initially emphasized enforcement, with sanctions and penalties to ensure payment. However, these measures often failed to encourage compliance, especially among non-resident fathers with limited resources. The article suggests that the system's focus on punishment and enforcement neglects broader issues of family stability and support, requiring reform to better serve modem family dynamics.

Article 4: Child Custody, Visitation, and Support Issues When an Unmarried Couple Separates. Paste the link here: Provide an APA Citation: (Nolo, n.d). How old is the information? No specific dates available. When was this site last updated? No date provided. Is it current enough? Uncertain.

Reliability: The information is from an encyclopedia, authored by a legal expert connected with family law. The source is generally reliable. The purpose is to inform about legal rights and procedures concerning custody, visitation, and support when unmarried couples separate. The content is presented in neutral, factual language, aiming to educate without bias.

This article explains that when unmarried couples split, both parents are typically considered equal in legal authority over their children’s welfare, including custody and decision-making. Family courts aim to support the child's best interests, often granting joint custody when feasible. Child support obligations are determined by parental income and shared expenses, with courts adjusting payments as circumstances change. The article emphasizes that legal processes focus on fairness, parental responsibility, and promoting children's well-being, regardless of marital status.

Paper For Above instruction

Child support issues have long been a critical focus within family law, reflecting societal efforts to balance parental responsibilities and ensure children's welfare. Over time, systems designed to enforce and regulate child support have evolved, facing challenges and criticisms regarding their effectiveness and adaptability to changing family structures. This paper examines various aspects of child support policies and enforcement in the United States and compares them with approaches adopted in Australia, highlighting problems, solutions, and areas needing reform.

Historical Context and Evolution of Child Support Policies in the U.S.

The United States initiated formal child support enforcement programs in 1975, aiming to provide steady financial support from noncustodial parents, reduce reliance on public assistance, and promote family stability (Chollet, 2013). The program's establishment responded to rising divorce rates and the increase in single-parent families, especially those headed by women. It sought to both facilitate payment enforcement and collect overdue support through various mechanisms, including income withholding and sanctions. Despite significant accomplishments, the system's focus on enforcement through punitive measures has often fallen short of fostering voluntary compliance, especially among non-resident fathers with limited income or resources (Pao, 2015).

Current Challenges and Critiques

While the Child Support Enforcement Program gathered billions of dollars annually, it achieved only partial success, collecting approximately 62% of support owed. Furthermore, only about 57% of cases were actively served by enforcement mechanisms (Chollet, 2013). Critics argue that the heavy emphasis on penalties, such as license suspensions and wage garnishments, often leads to resentment and non-compliance rather than fostering cooperation. Additionally, the model tends to neglect broader family support needs, especially in cases involving non-marital and multi-partner families, which have become increasingly common (Pao, 2015).

Comparative Analysis with Australia’s Approach

Contrasting the U.S., Australia employs a broader strategy that emphasizes support services and policy reforms alongside enforcement. The Australian child support system incorporates regular policy reviews, reinforcement of enforcement mechanisms, and a focus on family stability and cooperation (Oldham & Smyth, 2019). The country’s approach reflects societal values emphasizing collaboration and holistic family support, rather than solely penalizing non-compliance. Both countries face difficulties achieving significant improvements; the US is criticized for its punitive enforcement, while Australia’s comprehensive model has yet to fully address ongoing compliance issues.

Societal and Legal Changes Impacting Child Support

Over the decades, societal transformations such as increased nonmarital childbearing, single-parent households, and diverse family arrangements have challenged traditional child support paradigms. In the 1970s and 1980s, the primary focus was reconstructing family norms and ensuring support when parental roles differed from conventional married models. With the rising prevalence of unmarried parents, courts and policymakers faced the complex task of ensuring fair and effective support agreements that account for varying family dynamics (Nolo, n.d). This evolution necessitated reforms that balance enforcement with supportive measures to promote family stability and children's well-being.

Problems and Proposed Solutions

Key problems include inadequate collection rates, punitive enforcement that discourages compliance, and the failure to accommodate evolving family structures. Reforms proposed include shifting from an enforcement-centric framework to one that fosters family engagement and voluntary compliance through supportive services, mediation, and flexible payment arrangements. Technology can improve tracking and enforcement, while legislation can be adapted to better reflect contemporary family arrangements. Collaborative models that incorporate social services and family counseling may help improve compliance rates and family stability, ultimately benefiting children’s welfare (Oldham & Smyth, 2019).

Conclusion

Child support systems in the U.S. and Australia exemplify different strategies rooted in societal values and legal traditions. While enforcement remains essential, a balanced approach that incorporates support services, family cooperation, and flexible policies appears more promising for addressing ongoing compliance issues. Reforms should aim to make child support systems adaptable to societal changes, foster voluntary compliance, and prioritize children's best interests. Future policy directions should consider integrating technological advancements and community-based support programs to enhance effectiveness and fairness.

References

• Chollet, P. (2013). Child Support Enforcement Program: Elements, Financial Issues, and Incentive Payment Policies. Journal of Family Policy.
• Oldham, T. J., & Smyth, B. M. (2019). Child Support Compliance in the USA and Australia: To Persuade or Punish? Law & Society Review.
• Pao, M. (2015). How America's Child Support System Failed To Keep Up With The Times. GPB News.
• Nolo. (n.d). Child Custody, Visitation, and Support Issues When an Unmarried Couple Separates. Nolo.com.
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2020). Child Support Enforcement Data & Statistics. HHS.gov.
• Australian Government Department of Human Services. (2018). Child Support Program Overview. ServicesAustralia.gov.au.
• Hetherington, E. M. (2019). Family Structures and Child Well-being. Journal of Family Psychology.
• Garfinkel, I., & McLanahan, S. (2017). Fractured Families: Causes and Consequences. Annual Review of Sociology.
• Sullivan, H., & Sutherland, K. (2018). Enforcing Child Support: International Comparisons and Policy Lessons. Social Policy & Administration.
• Bray, B., & Brown, M. (2016). The Role of Mediation in Child Support Compliance. Family Court Review.