it is all about the child.
Child support is more than money
The Daily PressMonday,
August 29th, 2005 08:58:39 AM
By PATIENCE ZWICKY
For The Daily Press
For many people the definition of "child support" is a court ordered financial obligation that they either receive or are ordered to pay.The purpose of this type of child support is to assist the primarycaretaker of a child to better meet the child's needs. It is to helpthem become financially self-sufficient and raise the economic statusof their household to what it would be if the other parent were in thehome contributing directly.
Research has found that financial strain is one of the strongest predictors of depression and crisis in a family unit and numerousstudies have linked poverty to poor health, poor performance in school,increased behavior and emotional problems, and increased involvement incriminal activities in children.
Unfortunately, these negative outcomes do not appear to be restricted to just single-parent households dealing with the effects of poverty. They have also been linked in higher than average rates to single-parent households in general. Research seems tobe indicating that children need the emotional support of both parents,as well as financial support.
Parents are responsible for supporting their child financially, but they are also their child's first and most important teachers. Our society recognizes this by celebrating parenthood twice a year with holidays honoring mothers and fathers. It is their parent that a child relies upon to read to them each day, keep them safe and healthy, and tuck them in each night. It is their parent that a child trust sexplicitly and unconditionally to make the best choices for them. And,it is their parent from which a child seeks guidance and learns how to deal with the many changes and challenges they encounter each day.
Yet,all too often, parents don't realize how important they each are to their child's physical, social, and emotional development. An article published in the HealthScoutNews highlighted recent researchconducted by Arnold Stolberg, Ph.D. (Virginia Commonwealth Universityin Richmond) and his colleagues. According to the article, theresearchers found that the effects of poverty contributed to the poorhealth and social challenges of children in single-parent households,but they also found that two other factors had significant impact onthe adjustment of children: involvement of both parents and cooperationbetween the parents. This was regardless of whether the parents weremarried, divorced, separated, or had never lived in the same household.
Even though it may not always be the easiest thing for parents to do,especially those who live in separate households, research supports working together in raising your children. Involvement from bothparents can boost a child's self-esteem and provide both a male and female role model.
Fighting or arguing in front of children, especially over matters concerning them, often frightens young children and may even lead them to believe they are the cause of the problems between the parents. Working together, however, provides a positive social example and encourages children to be cooperative in their ownrelationships.
While differences parents may have with each other may not easily be put aside, it is best for parents to keep those differences between themselves. Because parenting is hard work, and even the best of us need a littlehelp from time to time, various agencies and organizations exist in theAshland area to assist parents.
Parents may contact the Ashland CountyChild Support Agency for issues relating to the establishment of paternity and child support, the Family Court Commissioner for issues regarding child custody and placement,
W.I.C. for nutrition and health related information, and Head Start, ABC Healthy Families, localchurches, and the Department of Health and Human Services for parentinginformation and resources.
Child support does mean money for families struggling with financia lstress, but it also means providing children with emotional support and guidance. Research is finding children who have the involvement andsupport of parents that work together on family issues (whether theylive together or not), adjust to the challenges of growing up better than those of parents who don't.
So, when it comes down to it, no matter what type of child support we're referring to, ultimately, it is all about the child.
The Daily PressMonday,
August 29th, 2005 08:58:39 AM
By PATIENCE ZWICKY
For The Daily Press
For many people the definition of "child support" is a court ordered financial obligation that they either receive or are ordered to pay.The purpose of this type of child support is to assist the primarycaretaker of a child to better meet the child's needs. It is to helpthem become financially self-sufficient and raise the economic statusof their household to what it would be if the other parent were in thehome contributing directly.
Research has found that financial strain is one of the strongest predictors of depression and crisis in a family unit and numerousstudies have linked poverty to poor health, poor performance in school,increased behavior and emotional problems, and increased involvement incriminal activities in children.
Unfortunately, these negative outcomes do not appear to be restricted to just single-parent households dealing with the effects of poverty. They have also been linked in higher than average rates to single-parent households in general. Research seems tobe indicating that children need the emotional support of both parents,as well as financial support.
Parents are responsible for supporting their child financially, but they are also their child's first and most important teachers. Our society recognizes this by celebrating parenthood twice a year with holidays honoring mothers and fathers. It is their parent that a child relies upon to read to them each day, keep them safe and healthy, and tuck them in each night. It is their parent that a child trust sexplicitly and unconditionally to make the best choices for them. And,it is their parent from which a child seeks guidance and learns how to deal with the many changes and challenges they encounter each day.
Yet,all too often, parents don't realize how important they each are to their child's physical, social, and emotional development. An article published in the HealthScoutNews highlighted recent researchconducted by Arnold Stolberg, Ph.D. (Virginia Commonwealth Universityin Richmond) and his colleagues. According to the article, theresearchers found that the effects of poverty contributed to the poorhealth and social challenges of children in single-parent households,but they also found that two other factors had significant impact onthe adjustment of children: involvement of both parents and cooperationbetween the parents. This was regardless of whether the parents weremarried, divorced, separated, or had never lived in the same household.
Even though it may not always be the easiest thing for parents to do,especially those who live in separate households, research supports working together in raising your children. Involvement from bothparents can boost a child's self-esteem and provide both a male and female role model.
Fighting or arguing in front of children, especially over matters concerning them, often frightens young children and may even lead them to believe they are the cause of the problems between the parents. Working together, however, provides a positive social example and encourages children to be cooperative in their ownrelationships.
While differences parents may have with each other may not easily be put aside, it is best for parents to keep those differences between themselves. Because parenting is hard work, and even the best of us need a littlehelp from time to time, various agencies and organizations exist in theAshland area to assist parents.
Parents may contact the Ashland CountyChild Support Agency for issues relating to the establishment of paternity and child support, the Family Court Commissioner for issues regarding child custody and placement,
W.I.C. for nutrition and health related information, and Head Start, ABC Healthy Families, localchurches, and the Department of Health and Human Services for parentinginformation and resources.
Child support does mean money for families struggling with financia lstress, but it also means providing children with emotional support and guidance. Research is finding children who have the involvement andsupport of parents that work together on family issues (whether theylive together or not), adjust to the challenges of growing up better than those of parents who don't.
So, when it comes down to it, no matter what type of child support we're referring to, ultimately, it is all about the child.
posted by Richar' Farr at 6:47 PM
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