By 1998, the age would rise to 25. Only if the mother marries or if the child is legally adopted would the child be eligible for aid. Statistics from the Family Services Division indicate that 30 percent of AFDC recipients are under 25 years old. You can't shoot the mother without hurting the children. Keeven said that his intention is to help recipients, not hurt them.
Republicans say that they want to toughen child support laws too.
Democrats say they did that last year with a new law that requires unmarried mothers to declare the child's father right after birth. The goal of the disclosure requirement is to make the child's father take responsibility for support. The Republican plan would require that single fathers who are unemployed participate in community service programs to supplement child support. They also would be required to spend 16 hours a week looking for work.