Shared Parenting Information Group (SPIG) UK
- promoting responsible shared parenting after separation and divorce -
Children First: a new approach to child support
Initial thoughts
A missed opportunity to bring in something really workable. Despite all the window dressing it doesn't address any of the real issues and we are stuck with the old stereotypes of mothers looking after children and fathers paying, so where is the sharing in that?
This is a rough justice approach, with no allowance being made for:
- the real costs of bringing up children (on either side)
- existing arrangements arising from responsible shared parenting
- the costs of staying in contact with the children (often substantial)
- travel to work costs / child care costs
- housing costs of any sort
- the fact that the 'non resident' parent may have provided a house for the children to occupy in lieu of maintenance
David Cannon
Please send us your comments: email SPIG
See also: National Association for Child Support Action (NACSA) - http://www.nacsa.org
Last updated - 2 September 2002
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