NRFC Quick Statistics and Research Reviews, Brief
In 2016, more than one in four children under 21 in the United States lived in a household apart from one of their parents. In 80 percent of these households, the custodial parent was the mother and the non-residential parent was the father. The amount and frequency of financial support that both parents provide shapes household economic stability, which can also affect children’s overall health and well-being. Non-residential parents often have a legal obligation to help pay the costs associated with raising their children. However, some non-residential parents pay these costs…
Brief
In fiscal year 2018, noncustodial parents were obligated to pay nearly $33.6 billion in current child support on behalf of the 15 million children served by the Title IV-D child support program. One-third of that, or $11 billion, was not collected. Unemployment is the leading reason for non-payment of child support by noncustodial parents. This brief will explore the opportunities at the state and federal levels to provide employment services to noncustodial parents and increase child support payments in the process.
Brief
This research brief from the Office of Child Support Enforcement identifies findings from a five-site Parenting Time Opportunities for Children (PTOC) grant. This grant, awarded to child support agencies in California, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Oregon, was intended to demonstrate how child support agencies can include parenting time orders in child support enforcement actions and how the increases in noncustodial parenting time, with safeguards in place for child welfare, led to improved relationships and increased compliance with child support payment.
Brief
This research brief examines two aspects of low-income, nonresidential fathers' commitment to the parenting role: self-reports of the importance of the father role and perceptions of validation from others for being a good parent. The findings of this study show that both types of commitment to the father role are associated with fathers' reports of having a close relationship with his child(ren). Only validation from others is related to fathers' engagement in child-related activities. The implications of these findings for fatherhood programs are discussed in the brief. (Author abstract…
Brief
Using data from the National Survey of Early Care and Education, this brief reports differences in the child care settings foreign-born and US-born parents select for their young children. The authors explore differences in parents’ child care preferences and perceptions and how being an immigrant and having limited English proficiency, among other factors, might influence parents’ interest in and ability to access different child care. (Author abstract)
Brief
Low-income families face significant challenges navigating both low-wage employment or education and training programs and also finding good-quality child care. Programs that intentionally combine services for parents and children can help families move toward economic security and create conditions that promote child and family well-being. Although these programs in general are not new (see Background), policymakers and program leaders are now experimenting with innovative approaches to combining services. Yet, most currently operating programs, sometimes called “two-generation” or “dual…
This 2014 fact sheet on children living in low-income families in the United States begins by explaining that there are more than 11 million infants and toddlers under the age of 3 in the United States, and 47% live in low-income families and 24% live in poor families. Statistics are provided that indicate the percentage of infants and toddlers living in low-income families has been on the rise, increasing from 44% in 2008 to 47% in 2014, children under age 3 are nearly three times as likely as adults 65 years and older to live in poor families, children under age 3 are more likely to live in…
This fact sheet on adolescents living in low-income families in the United States begins by explaining that there are more than 14 million adolescents (ages 12-17) in the United States in 2014, and 40% live in low-income families and 19% live in poor families. Statistics are provided that indicate the percentage of adolescents living in low-income families has been on the rise, increasing from 35% in 2008 to 40% in 2014, adolescents are nearly twice as likely as adults 65 years and older to live in poor families, adolescents are less likely to live in low-income and poor families than younger…
This 2014 fact sheet on children living in low-income families in the United States begins by explaining that there are more than 24 million children (ages 6-11) in the United States, and 45% live in low-income families and 22% live in poor families. Statistics are provided that indicate the percentage of children living in low-income families has been on the rise, increasing from 40% in 2008 to 45% in 2014, children are nearly twice as likely as adults 65 years and older to live in poor families, young children under age 6 years are the most likely to live in low-income families, followed by…
This 2014 fact sheet on children living in low-income families in the United States begins by explaining that there are more than 72 million children under age 18 in the United States, and 44% live in low-income families and 21% live in poor families. Statistics are provided that indicate the percentage of children living in low-income families has been on the rise, increasing from 39% in 2008 to 44% in 2014, children are nearly twice as likely as adults 65 years and older to live in poor families, young children under age 6 years are the most likely to live in low-income families, followed…
